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| Survey Respondents Report AD/HD Has Held Them Back From Life Goals National Resolution Identifies AD/HD as a Major Health Problem POTTSTOWN, Pa., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- About four out of five adults with AD/HD believe that the disorder has held them back from achieving long-term (87 percent) and short-term (80 percent) goals and/or pursuing their dreams (80 percent) according to a national survey. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of the national Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) and is being released today in recognition of the first ever National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day. "AD/HD is a disorder that can have serious repercussions on the personal and professional lives of those affected and has been overlooked for too long," said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), prime sponsor of Resolution 370, designating September 7th as National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day. The resolution passed the Senate with unanimous support in recognition of the impact of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) on the quality of millions of American lives if not properly diagnosed and treated. AD/HD is the formal name for what is well known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. The national Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), the world's leading adult AD/HD organization dedicated to providing resources to adults with AD/HD, was instrumental in obtaining the senatorial resolution. "Increased public awareness of adult AD/HD is essential in encouraging self-identification and diagnosis. Awareness also helps reduce stigma so that people are not hesitant to get the appropriate help they need for the management of their symptoms to improve the quality of their lives," says Michele Novotni, PhD, chief executive officer of ADDA. Survey Supports Impact of AD/HD on Adults The survey reveals that adults with AD/HD (71 percent) wish they had received better treatment for their symptoms earlier in their lives. More than half (55 percent) of those adults diagnosed with but not treated for AD/HD as children regret not having treatment. Missed Opportunities a Significant Consequence of Untreated AD/HD Three out of four adults (77 percent) with AD/HD reported that the condition has affected their ability to initiate and maintain romantic relationships. In addition, AD/HD affects other major aspects of adults' lives, including their ability to follow through on things (85 percent), attain educational achievement (64 percent), succeed in the workplace (64 percent) and handle stress (64 percent). Diagnosis and Treatment Found To Improve Lives, Reduce Adverse Life Events The majority (57 percent) of adults with AD/HD surveyed also said their life has improved since being diagnosed. The majority of those who perceived improvements after being diagnosed felt relief in knowing what had been holding them back (75 percent) and felt better about themselves in general (63 percent). Additionally, compared with adults who do not take medication for AD/HD, those taking medication were significantly less likely to experience adverse life events, such as ending a marriage or relationship bitterly (27 percent vs. 16 percent), getting into a car accident (29 percent vs. 20 percent), getting into a fight (24 percent vs. 11 percent) or abusing drugs (15 percent vs. 7 percent). The survey did not address specific treatments patients were using. "Adults with undiagnosed AD/HD often have negative perceptions of themselves and lack hope," says Dr. Novotni. "That's why it's so important for adults with AD/HD and their families to know that this disorder is diagnosable and treatable." The most common advice that adults with AD/HD surveyed offered to symptomatic-but-undiagnosed adults is to seek screening and/or professional help. ADDA and Lilly are urging adults that suspect they may have AD/HD to "Take the First Step." In conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), AD/HD experts from leading universities around the country developed the Adult AD/HD Self Report Scale (ASRS v. 1.1), a self-screening instrument designed to reveal the likelihood of adult AD/HD and determine whether further evaluation is needed. The ASRS is available on adultadd.com (an Internet resource sponsored by Lilly). The website also contains a link to a physician locator tool so those who screen positive can search for specialists in their area. Survey Methodology Harris Interactive fielded the online survey from April 27 through May 3, 2004, among 503 adults aged 25 to 65 years who have been diagnosed by a health care professional as having AD/HD. Results are representative of the total U.S. online population of adults diagnosed with AD/HD. Potential respondents from the Harris Interactive online panel received an e-mail invitation to participate in this survey. The data were not weighted, and the sampling error for this online survey is plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. This online sample was not a probability sample. Harris Interactive conducted the survey on behalf of ADDA and Lilly. "AD/HD affects all areas of a person's life. It's with you all day long from the moment you get out of bed in the morning, through work time during the day, and into family time in the evening. Unfortunately, the majority of adults with AD/HD go undiagnosed," said Dr. Patricia Quinn, keynote speaker at the Seattle event and director of the National Center for Gender Issues and AD/HD. "I see this happen time and time again. A person senses that something has always been wrong, but is unable to put a finger on it. Now is the time to help these individuals so they don't have to suffer anymore. Diagnosing AD/HD offers hope to those with AD/HD. AD/HD is a very treatable condition and help is available. Life can be better for these adults with AD/HD, if only they get the proper diagnosis and treatment." About AD/HD AD/HD affects 3-7 percent of school-age children across racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines. It manifests itself in levels of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility and impulsivity that are inappropriate to the child's age.(1) In addition, 60 percent of children with the disorder carry their symptoms into adulthood.(2) Experts estimate 4 percent of adults in the United States, more than 8 million people, have AD/HD.(3,4) The vast majority (85 percent) of adults with AD/HD are undiagnosed and untreated. About the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is a non-profit organization as defined by 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It has been in existence since 1989. The mission of ADDA is to provide information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals working with them. In doing so, ADDA generates hope, awareness, empowerment and connections worldwide in the field of AD/HD through bringing together science and the human experience. The information and resources provided to individuals and families affected with AD/HD and professionals in the field of AD/HD focuses on diagnoses, treatment, strategies and techniques for helping adults with AD/HD lead better lives. For more information, visit www.add.org. About Lilly Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers, through medicines and information, for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com . About Harris Interactive(R) Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com ) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll(R) and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The company conducts international research from its U.S. offices and through wholly owned subsidiaries-London-based HI Europe (www.hieurope.com ), Paris-based Novatris and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan -- as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent market -- and opinion-research firms. (1) American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision, Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000. (2) Schweitzer JB, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Med Clin of North Am. 2001; 85(3):757-777 (3) Murphy K, Barkley, RA. J Atten disord. 1996; 1:147-161. (4) United States Census Summary File; 2000. SOURCE Attention Deficit Disorder Association CO: Attention Deficit Disorder Association; Eli Lilly and Company; Harris Interactive ST: Indiana, Pennsylvania SU: SVY LEG CHI NPT |
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