Workers with ADD



For some workers, paying attention is more than they can do
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is the medical name for a neurological condition that can erode a person's ability to pay attention to what's going on. An estimated six percent of all adults suffer from ADD. There are no cures, and the condition is permanent. There is good news, however. ADD is one of the most treatable of all mental disorders. Here are some signs that a worker may have ADD may have: A constant load of heavy stress Seldom on time Cannot seem to set priorities or plan ahead Always forgetting appointments Disorganized and frustrated Any worker who displays these signs is a candidate for an initial evaluation by a primary care doctor or a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment. Obviously, you won't want people who can't focus on the task at hand driving heavy equipment, but a surprising number of adults with ADD hold full-time jobs and keep their employees happy with their productivity. Some form of stimulant is the usual medication prescribed for adults with ADD. In some cases a new job or even a new career will be recommended. For many ADD victims, effective treatment consists of medication combined with self-discipline to bolster the ability to think ahead and order one's life. With appropriate treatment and support, your ADD employee can turn into a reliable hard-working contributor to your company's bottom line. Copyright by © Griffith Publishing 2008 800 359-9503 Watch these pages grow!			More about... Reliable resources for work-related health information Blogs for a safe and healthy workplace Free tools for your health and safety programs Directory of health and safety info on the Web from JG and HealthWorks How we can help and who we are THINKING POINTS The term "ADD" has now been replaced by "AD-HD" (Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder). Here's a directory of healthcare acronyms. More info: There is now an Attention Deficit Times online newsletter and a book entitled The Attention-Deficit Workplace. A website by Adults Seeking Knowledge includes a rich set of information about AD-HD in the workplace. You can find out more information and subscribe to a free newsletter by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association.