11 Facts About ADD/ADHD

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1. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).^[National Institute of Mental Health. “What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)?” http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]
2. 3 times more men than women have attention deficit disorder (ADD).^[St. Sauver, J. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, September 2004; vol 79: pp 1124-1131.]
3. In order to be diagnosed with ADD, a child must display very strong symptoms that take a negative effect on their life for at least 6 months.^[University of Maryland Medical Center. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”. http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. September 18th, 2013 (Accessed Nov 7th 2014).]
4. The main symptoms and indicators of ADD are inattention, distractibility, fear, anxiety, slow cognitive thinking, daydreaming, procrastination, and poor memory retrieval.^[National Institute of Mental Health. “What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)?” http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]
5. There is no cure for ADD, but the symptoms can be managed through medications and counseling.^[National Health Service. “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment.”http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Treatment.aspx. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]
6. Although ADHD and ADD refer to the same condition, ADHD is the clinical diagnostic term.^[Attention Deficit Disorder Association. “ADHD Fact Sheet”. http://www.add.org/?page=ADHD_Fact_Sheet. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]
7. The frequency of diagnoses of ADD/ADHD has more than doubled for adolescents in the last 15 years.^[Cooper, James and Jensen, Peter. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: State of the Science, Best Practices”. Kingston: Civic Research Institute, 2002.]
8. Women who smoke during pregnancy may be twice as likely to give birth to a child with ADD/ADHD.^[Linnet, K. Pediatrics, August 2005; vol 116: pp 462-467.]
9. Research fails to support a connection between increased sugar intake and ADD/ADHD development.^[University of Maryland Medical Center. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”. http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. September 18th, 2013 (Accessed Nov 7th 2014).]
10. About 4 to 6% of the US population has ADD/ADHD.^[Attention Deficit Disorder Association. “ADHD Fact Sheet”. http://www.add.org/?page=ADHD_Fact_Sheet. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]
11. Many noted celebs live with ADD/ADHD, like Ryan Gosling, Solange Knowles and Adam Levine.^[Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. “Famous People with ADHD.” http://www.addadult.com/add-education-center/famous-people-with-adhd/. Accessed Nov 7th, 2014.]