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Politicians Likely to Suffer from AD/HD

Entertainers, Tradesmen Also At High Risk

September 21, 2006

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Politicians are often accused of not paying attention and new research shows their critics may be right.

Elected officials and entertainers are surpassed only by tradespeople as the most likely to exhibit signs of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), according to a new survey conducted for the Attention Deficit Disorder Association.

People involved in trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians may truly be cut out for jobs that are free from traditional, rigid structure and independent in nature. The survey found that people in such trades were most likely to have traits suggestive of AD/HD.

On the other hand, office, bank and retail clerks, with more structure and more public contact, reported the fewest symptoms of AD/HD.

Construction workers and healthcare professionals followed closely behind elected officials as most likely to exhibit AD/HD symptoms with 18 percent and 19 percent, respectively, citing symptoms consistent with AD/HD.

Lawyers, law enforcement personnel and the media are among the least likely to have symptoms of AD/HD. Business executives, athletes, clergy, scientists and teachers fall in the middle.

Although 21 percent of elected officials surveyed often have traits that make them candidates for AD/HD, only 15 percent of the public represented in the 14 categories report similar symptoms.

Of the respondents with high probability of AD/HD, 50 percent reside in "blue" states and 50 percent in "red" states (based on 2004 U.S. Presidential Election). Thirty-three percent said they are Democrats, 26 percent said they are Republicans and 32 percent identified themselves as Independents.

Often Under-Diagnosed

The survey also confirms the significant under-diagnosis of adult AD/HD demonstrated by earlier studies.

Only 12 percent of respondents who reported symptoms frequently associated with adult AD/HD had been diagnosed with the disorder. This is in contrast to depression, which was once unrecognized but now is readily diagnosed and treated.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in adults is often characterized by distractibility, procrastination, disorganization and lateness, incomplete projects and losing things and can be associated with personal and professional relationship problems and sometimes substance abuse. It can often impair an individual's quality of life.

Recent studies indicate that between 30 and 70 percent of children with AD/HD continue to exhibit AD/HD symptoms as adults. The vast majority of these people are undiagnosed, and may be unaware that their problems may have a neurobiological cause and can be treated.

"Undiagnosed and untreated AD/HD in adults can definitely impede professional success," said David Giwerc, Immediate Past President of the ADDA.

"On the flip side, adults with AD/HD also have unique strengths that can also manifest as a result of understanding their AD/HD. They are often creative, spontaneous, inventive, humorous, risk-taking problem-solvers and, when their AD/HD is being treated properly and they are educated about their own AD/HD they can do very well in the workplace," Giwerc said.

"The first steps in helping people successfully manage their AD/HD challenges are making them aware that AD/HD is not just a childhood disorder, helping them recognize the specific symptoms and situations that are impairing their ability to move forward in important areas of their lives, then encouraging them to seek health care professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of adult AD/HD. This disorder can be effectively treated and managed," said Giwerc.

Other survey highlights:

These results are illustrative and are not necessarily representative of the entire occupational universe.

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