I work a lot with preschool children, and I'm learning about ADD/ADHD. Looking back at my childhood, I was a classic case of ADD. I feel as an adult (36 years old) that I'm still suffering with this. Is there any way to be sure and to get help? --Sandy

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is what many people, including professionals, call different manifestations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as it's labeled in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

Children and adults who have ADHD show poor ability to keep their attention on tasks (distractibility), difficulty controlling impulses (impulsivity) and excessive activity and physical restlessness (hyperactivity). Of course, all of us display some of those characteristics from time to time. In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, however, the behaviors must be excessive (much more than a child's normal difficulty sitting still for long periods of time), long-term (not just under stress) and pervasive. The behaviors must appear before age seven and persist for at least six months. They must create a real problem in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work or social settings.

There are other conditions or situations besides ADHD that can affect attention and concentration -- depression or anxiety, for instance. And some children and adults who have been traumatized (through abuse or assault, for instance) may exhibit a posttraumatic stress syndrome that can seem like ADHD at times. So if you're suspecting you might have ADD/ADHD, it's wise to seek appropriate help in confirming the diagnosis.

Who is qualified to diagnose ADD/ADHD? A mental health professional who is experienced with ADD/ADHD. That may mean a psychologist, psychiatrist, pediatrician or neurologist -- but only those who are trained and experienced with the disorder. (Not all are.) The evaluation should include a medical and developmental history, behavior rating forms and sometimes screening for learning problems or emotional problems that can complicate the picture.

Effective treatment for ADD/ADHD can involve a combination of medication (when necessary); therapy or counseling to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors; and what's called "ADD coaching" for adults, which is aimed at improving organizational skills and productivity. (By the way, although stimulant medication such as Ritalin can help people with ADD function better, the fact that using the medication improves your attention doesn't by itself prove you have ADHD. Most people, even those without ADHD, will focus better when taking a stimulant medication.)

You can find more information about ADD/ADHD from the National Attention Deficit Disorder Association at http://www.add.org or via e-mail at NatlADDA@aol.com.