One of the most common disorders treated among young children in the United States has been found here.

Students and faculty have conditions that include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Since Sophomore Mandy* was five-years-old, she knew she had it, and others could determine it as well.

“I couldn’t sit still because I was so hyperactive,” Mandy* said. “I had no attention span whatsoever.”

Other symptoms of ADHD include difficulty of organizing tasks, being easily distracted, talking excessively, having trouble participating in quiet activities, interrupting others in conversations and having sleep problems.

Even then, people affected with these disorders learn to live normal lives.

ADD-affected student Sophomore Brittany* said, “Even though life can be hard at times, especially in school, I just want to live a normal teenage life.”

ADD is a simpler form of ADHD because it doesn’t involve the hyperactivity.

However, it doesn’t mean that living with it is easier.

“I remember that my form of ADD started when I was in kindergarten, and I couldn’t focus because of the disorder,” Spanish teacher Ana Cortes said. “Since I couldn’t focus, I had to repeat the year.”

Through hard work, Cortes realized that other affected people should learn that the disorders are not an excuse to get away with bad grades or poor workmanship.

“I would like to seem them not use it as an excuse but to turn it around in order to show themselves and others that just because they have an obstacle doesn’t mean they can’t overcome it,” Cortes said.

“Showing others that we can overcome the disorder could help others along the way.”

To help people live with ADD and ADHD, medication becomes part of the answer.

“The pills I took helped me by slowing down my hyperactivity as well as relaxing me and helping me to want to work at whatever I was doing,” Mandy* said. “However, I hated having to take them.”

The most common ADD medications are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert along with therapy and counseling.

But the factor that is most effected with ADD and ADHD patients is the will to work.

“I admire people who are willing to do what it takes to get the job done,” Cortes said.

Through the hard work ethic came those who made it in successful jobs. Cortes is one example of a successful ADD adult.

“It’s made me work hard for things, but I love my job with or without ADD.”

Mandy* says she outgrew it, but Cortes thinks that people never really grow out of it.

“I can’t focus well when there’s many students coming up to me at once or if I’m in a noisy area, so, yes, I still have some form of ADD, but it’s just not as strong as when I was younger,” Cortes said.

For more information on ADD or ADHD, go to www.add.org, www3.sympatico.ca/frankk/body.html, or add.about.com/library/weekly/aa012702a.htm.