Most media attention regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) has centered on children and adolescents.
Many ADDults (adults with ADHD) are overlooked, misdiagnosed, or undiagnosed.
ADHD IS NOT JUST A CHILDHOOD CONDITION. Children do not grow out of this disorder! nor is it ever cured (not that we ever want a cure for ADHD, the world would become a boring, stagnating world without ADDers).
At least 75% of those children with ADHD are still affected to a marked degree as adults; others have, by one means or another learnt coping strategies. A significant number of women in particular go undiagnosed, because they were never hyperactive and didn’t cause trouble, so they weren’t picked up. Unfortunately, most people still have a stereotyped image of ADD/ADHD. They picture a hyperactive boy, “bouncing off the walls”. Many adults are diagnosed with depression or Anxiety Disorders instead of ADHD.
Unfortunately in New Zealand, there are few Doctors (including psychiatrists) who truly understand adult ADHD.
If you need a diagnosis as an adult, and don’t know anyone in your area, please contact me by email or phone (contact details on About Us page), and I may be able to help.
Read the literature, some of which is available through your local Support Group.
Talk about your experiences of ADD/ADHD with those who can support you.
Seek professionals (counsellors, psychologists, GP s, psychiatrists) who are open-minded, compassionate, and willing to listen to your concerns, and who can provide you with treatment and management strategies.
There are a variety of interventions that do work. A predominant one is medication, which may be a stimulant (yes these medications are used for adults too!), an anti-depressant, or and anti-anxiety drug. Usually, a collection of strategies works best, such as medication and counselling.
Your strategies are personal and ought to be tailored to your own needs. If one set of strategies do not seem to work, make small shifts and check the results. Ask others for their honest assessment of any changes you might be making in yourself. We are often the last to see the positive changes, and need others to affirm the changes. Let go of some of your efforts to control too much. People with ADD tend to think that they should always be in control. This is an impossible expectation, and you will make mistakes. Remember, sometimes life is just plain unmanageable. Don't always blame yourself.

ADHD is a reason why you do some of the things you do, like acting first and thinking later.
It is not an excuse to use when it suits you.
You may have ADD/ADHD symptoms, but you are much more than this. You do not have to let these symptoms run your life. Some you can reduce; some you can eliminate; some you can channel more positively; and some you can learn better ways to live with. The resources have arrived!

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy: by Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo – An excellent look at adult ADD/ADHD by two ADDult women.

ADDed Dimension: by Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo

Driven to Distraction: by Dr. Edward.M. Hallowell and Dr. John.J.Ratey – Recognition, and coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from childhood to adulthood.