Positive Psychology: Attention Deficit Disorder

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Attention Deficit Disorder

What Causes ADD in Adolescents and Adults?

Experts believe that ADD has a large genetic component, and is caused by a neuro-chemical disconnection between two parts of the frontal lobes inside the brain. This affects the central nervous system’s development, and thus causes impairment in the ability to concentrate.

The Basic Characteristics of ADD

The three main characteristics of ADD are:

1. Inattention

difficulty organizing tasks
difficulty staying on task (quick loss of interest) and maintaining effort
difficulty with transitions or prioritizing tasks, following instructions, and completing school work
problems with misplacing things needed for tasks
becoming easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
difficulty remembering daily activities

2. Hyperactivity

experiences minor motor restlessness, such as fidgeting of hands
has difficulty remaining seated and talks excessively
has difficulty regulating restlessness to situational demands
has difficulty channeling physical restlessness in productive directions
has difficulty listening to others
becomes easily distracted while reading

3. Impulsiveness

speaks or acts without considering the consequence
has difficulty taking turns
has feelings of being out-of-control, which can result in obsessive compulsive behaviors
has need for high stimulus activity

What is the Treatment for ADD?

ADD is not curable. It is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. The best treatment for ADD is a combination of medication, behavior modification strategies, and professional counseling.

SOURCE:
The basic characterisitics of ADD | Attention Deficit Disorder Student Handbook | Cook Counseling Center | Virginia Tech

http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/add4.html

Positive Psychology given credence by Academia:

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Commentators on the subject Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, note that:

"The field of positive psychology at the subjective level is about valued subjective experiences: well-being, contentment, and satisfaction (in the past); hope and optimism (for the future); and flow and happiness (in the present).

At the individual level, it is about positive individual traits: the capacity for love and vocation, courage, interpersonal skill, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, future mindedness, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom.

At the group level, it is about the civic virtues and the institutions that move individuals toward better citizenship: responsibility, nurturance, altruism, civility, moderation,tolerance, and work ethic."