You know that person; the one who can't stay on topic, the one who is about to speak, then suddenly the conversation takes a completely different direction, like a squirrel looking for nuts who keeps dropping the one he's holding because something else It caught my eye. Chaotic, exhausted, impulsive, disorganized, daydreamer, procrastinator, inattentive, clumsy, and lazy are just a few descriptions of an adult suffering from attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). It was once thought that ADD/ADHD was just a childhood complication that did not affect adults, but since there is no cure for ADD/ADHD, adults are affected too. Most adults with ADD/ADHD were not diagnosed with the disorder as children, because ADD/ADHD was not recognized except by very few people who were aware of it at the time (Smith & Segal, 2012). Instead, they were labeled lazy, troublemakers, daydreamers, and other labels as children and grew into adults with those same labels and tendencies. They may have learned to adapt during adolescence, but as they became adults and the responsibilities and demands on their time grew, so did the challenges of managing ADD/ADHD. ADD/ADHD affects 4-5% of all adults, more than 11 million in the United States (Barkley). When left undiagnosed and treated, it can impact all areas of life, including work, home and social relationships. With treatment, adults and children with ADD/ADHD can learn to compensate and overcome the symptoms and challenges they face daily with ADD/ADHD to lead productive lives. The symptoms of ADD/ADDHD are not the same in adults as in adults. children and are not the same in every individual. Some common symptoms in adults of A...... middle of paper ......d Treatment. Retrieved from www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult Symptoms.htm (March 20, 2012) Mayo Clinic Staff, (January 8, 2010). Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): A comprehensive overview covers symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of adult ADHD. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adult-adhd/ds01161Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD in Adults: Potential Incomprehensible/Symptoms/Treatment/Self-Help ADHD in Adultscopyright 2012 Retrieved from http://www.adultadhd.net (March 20, 2012) Reviewed by Amal Chakraburtty, MD March 1, 2010 for WebmdADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Statistics, Causes, Types, Treatments, and More Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD in Adults Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-adults (March20, 2012)