Welcome to Dr. Sterling's Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Web Page!

The mission of this page is to provide you with information and resources for understanding Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (Adult ADD).

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) -- also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disoder (ADHD) -- in younger adults only started receiving proper attention in the last eight years. This means that in the over-50 population, the diagnosis and treatment of ADD is under-researched and lags way behind. Historically, ADD in children has received the most attention because of the challenges that hyperactive, impulsive children caused for school systems. ADD has two types of expression -- a hyperactive type and what I call a "day-dreamer" type.

I favor using the term Attention Deficit Disorder because it helps combat the misperception that some form of hyperactivity is necessary for the diagnosis to be made. Hyperactivity does not have to be present to make the ADD diagnosis. It used to be thought that children with ADD grew out of it, but it became evident that what they were actually growing out of was just the hyperactive component. Many children with ADD became adults with untreated ADD. Many were never diagnosed during their school years because they weren't causing problems (the day-dreamer type). They often experienced failures in higher education and had lifestyles of rapidly changing jobs, poor work skills, and difficult relationships. Due to frequent failures, adults with ADD often get depressed and experience chronic low self-esteem.

Here are a few signs of ADD in adults: (1) Inattention and memory problems -- losing or forgetting things, being absent-minded, not finishing things, misjudging time, trouble getting started ("procrastination"); (2) Hyperactivity and restlessness; and, (3) Impulsivity and emotional instability -- saying things without thinking first, interrupting others, easily frustrated and angered, unpredictable moods, driving recklessly. ADD seems to be distributed equally between women and men.

To read Dr. Sterling's complete article on ADD and older adults please go to Older Adult Attention Deficit Disorder.

Not all people with ADD have difficulties and problems. There are people who, because of their particular circumstances, intelligence level, or support system, do very well. They may be very creative and energetic, and accomplish a lot. However, in those people who are experiencing mostly the downside of ADD, I recommend a thorough evaluation and a treatment plan. Below are links to resources for understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

• Health and Age -- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adults with ADHD).

• National Institute of Mental Health -- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) page.

• WebMD.com -- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) page.

• ADD Resources is non-profit organization, based in Tacoma, Washington, whose focus is adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but whose purpose is to help all ADHD people achieve their full potential. Their site contains links to excellent articles about ADHD.

• The Northwest Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Web site has information and links to many ADHD support groups throughout Washington.

• South King County CHADD Chapter is the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder support group in South King County which works to improve the lives of people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

• ADDitude Magazine contains a large amount of resources for understanding and dealing with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Thank You for Stopping By!

-- Best wishes, Dr. Sterling

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