A YEAR ago, Alison Powell had never heard of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - but after diagnosis last autumn, she is campaigning to raise awareness of the condition in adults.
The 38-year-old mother-of-one, from Malpas, Newport, read about the symptoms last summer when a friend told her "it sounds like you" and says the jigsaw puzzle of her life fell into place.
Poor concentration, impulsive behaviour, mood swings, depression, talking a lot but losing the thread of conversation, disorganisation, untidiness, poor management of time, money and other aspects of life, were among symptoms she recognised in herself.
"I went to see my GP with the information I had, and was referred and diagnosed pretty quickly, within a couple of months," said Ms Powell.
"But between two and seven per cent of the population might have some level of ADD and there are lots like me who did not know they had the condition."
ADD or ADHD is more commonly considered a problem in children. The 'H' part of the title, hyperactivity, tending to decrease with age.
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Adult ADD is being studied in some parts of the UK, but NHS help remains patchy.
Yet for those affected it can dominate all aspects life, their behaviour and lifestyles exasperating and alienating other people.
"I've always talked a lot and lose the thread of what I'm talking about very easily. I've never been able to settle into anything for any length of time, I've had lots of different jobs, and can do lots but never seem to get anywhere with anything," said Ms Powell.
"It was a relief to get a diagnosis because lots of things about my life began to make sense, but I feel less confident socially.
"People with ADD can function, but their lives can be chaotic, unpredictable, and the depression and mood swings are very difficult to deal with."
New help for sufferers
THE National Institute for Clinical Excellence will issue guidelines for treating ADD in adults in September.
Ms Powell hopes these will signal a greater understanding among the medical profession and the general public, quicker diagnosis and more easily accessible treatment.
She will appear on television later this month as part of a campaign to raise awareness of adult ADD.
She is also involved with the Bristol and South East Wales Adult ADHD Support Group, which can be contacted through bristoladhdadults.googlepages.com
Further information is available via www.aadd.org.uk
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