College Health Tips from the University of Iowa's
Student Health Service

Attention Deficit Disorder

Paul Natvig, M.D.
Staff Psychiatrist Student Health Service
First Published: 2003
Last Revised: November 2003
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed

I would like more information about attention deficit disorder. I am 40 years old and am having more and more trouble concentrating my efforts be it for reading or writing. I realize that there may be many causes--stress etc.,--but I really think this is ADD. Please give me information on what can be done about it for adults.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a disorder of the ability to focus and sustain attention. The disorder is also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of physical restlessness or hyperactivity can be a part of the disorder. In adults the attention problems usually predominate. ADD is a disorder that first presents in childhood, it does not come on for the first time in an adult. Very often the diagnosis was not made in childhood, though symptoms were present.

In ADD there is a pervasive inconsistency in the ability to focus. While most of the symptoms in ADD are things most people do occasionally (eg. forget keys, procrastinate, not finish projects), people with ADD do them to the point where significant life problems occur. The diagnosis of ADD can be a difficult one to make, especially in an adult. Many other conditions can have poor attention as a symptom (eg. depression, anxiety disorders). If you are not a UI student, your health care provider can serve as a beginning resource for you.

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See related Patient Topics Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism or Mental Health and Behavior.

See related Provider Topics Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Brain and Nervous System, Child and Teen Health, Food, Nutrition and Metabolism or Mental Health and Behavior.

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