If you are one of the millions of Americans diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, it is imperative that you seek help relating to your particular disorder.  It is estimated that roughly 5% of the United State’s population is affected with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); unfortunately many of them do not know the facts concerning the actual disability nor the methods of ADD modification.

The symptoms of this disorder will vary per individual.  The most common symptoms include hyperactivity, impulse control problems, and an inordinate amount of physical activity.  One of the first steps on the path to ADD modification is to identify the combination of these features the sufferer is afflicted with.  The severity of their individual symptoms will also be a factor in ADD modification. 

To confirm the symptoms plaguing the sufferer, it is best to seek a medical diagnosis.  Once the therapist or doctor has spoken with, observed, and tested the patient a plan for ADD modification can be developed.  Many afflicted with the disorder fear stimulant medication (which is the most common form of ADD modification).  The misconceptions of stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Adderall are that they are habit forming and will worsen the severity of the symptoms by overstimulating the brain; however, multiple studies have shown that the prescribed dosages of these medications are neither habit forming nor capable of causing a euphoric sensation in the user.

In addition to medication, a therapist or doctor might also help the patient develop coping skills as a method of ADD modification.  The more conventional methods of ADD modification employed by therapists are list making (organizational skills), dividing large tasks into smaller portions (prioritizing skills), and working in short intervals instead of long periods of time (focusing skills).

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