Question about ADD

[divagirl]

I have someone close to me (an adult) who gets easily distracted when out and sometimes will be looking around or not looking at you in conversation. So it can be difficult at times to know if the person heard me or not. This person fully believes they have ADD but has never been to a doctor about it. I am someone who focuses on the person I'm talking to in conversation so I find this annoying at times but try to be understanding. Is this typical of someone with ADD??

 

[ldy_solana]

its possible, but they really need to see a professional for that determination to be made. do not be annoyed though b/c my daughter has austim and ADHD and has difficulty making eye contact when speaking. i was never explain to why they do that, but its something they cannot help and usually is worked on ALOT in occupational and speech therapy.

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"

 

[marcy]

Yes, it it definitely typical. My DS has ADD and for the past 18 years, we've had to tell him to look at us when we're talking to him. It can be very annoying at times, almost to the point of you think they're being rude but their whole problem is they can't focus. I think you should try and urge him to see a doctor.

Marcy

 

[GreenEyedLefty]

Yep. It's the inattentive form of ADHD. My DD has it. She is a wonderful person but so scattered and disorganized.

 

[taprice]

Hi,

There can be many reasons why people do not have eye contact while they are talking to another. Although ADHD and ADD may be the most well know, autism, and emotional disorders are just two of a host of other reasons that could be the underlying cause.

Tracy

 

[lederr]

I am a psychologist but I am not giving this advice in a professional capacity (don't want to get sued). That said, I will tell you that an ADHD (the formal diagnosis is ADHD with or without hyperactivity...they no longer differentiate by using ADD and ADHD) diagnosis can only be made by a professional. ADHD has to have a DEVELOPMENTAL component meaning it must have been present as a child. There are MANY other conditions that can be the cause of the symptoms you describe. Too many people self-diagnose and too many primary care doctors will go on that when prescribing medication. Your friend needs to go to a psychiatrist or psychologist for a true doagnosis.

We need to be careful before we place labels on ourselves or others. If we look closely enough, we can met criteria for many diagnoses (both medical and psychological). That is why we should trust the people that have been trained to make the diagnoses.

JMO

Lorie

 

[ldy_solana]

lorie you make an excellent point about development. viola's doctor has said that many diagnosed with ADD have other learning disabilities(or are wrongly diagnosed). in our case viola has austim(high functioning) and although she is capable of learning, the big issue is her ability to focus and make eye contact. she is a very visual learning but if she can't focus on what she needs to look at then its hard to teach her and hard for her to pick up on what she needs to learn. the doctor diagnosed viola with autism with syptoms of ADHD. and instense sessions of mixed occupational and speech therapy help with trying to get viola to make eye contanct, usually through cues. she has improved greatly,although still needs a long way to go,she has come a very long way. other factors play a roll in treatment like a clean as possible diet and plenty of movement for her. movement breaks help her to sit longer periods of time in class and focus much better. just my expierence though, everybody is certainly different.

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"