It was obvious to Tracey's parents and teachers..........percent of Malaysians suffer from ADD, but are unaware of the problem.

It was obvious to Tracey's parents and teachers that she was suffering from a disorder. She looked bright. She was eager to learn and could speak when she was two. However, she could not read or write. She seemed to have great difficulty getting started. She was easily distracted. In school, she would be watching other children walking outside, or children doing physical education in the school field.

At home it would be the telephone ringing, the sound of television in the family room or the sounds of cooking in the kitchen. She would get started on her homework but took so long to finish that she often turned in incomplete work. Her grades suffered. Her parents, especially her father who was a college lecturer, accused her of not working hard enough. She became depressed and felt a dark hopelessness. After a lot of hard work she scraped through her SPM examination. Her depression pushed her mother into sending her to consult a clinical psychologist who was also a specialist in learning disorders. He did some tests and diagnosed ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder or MBD, Minimal Brain Disorder.

ADD affects the brain and how it works. Tracey's parents were horrified to learn that there is no 'cure' for the disorder but it can be treated. In other words, those affected can be taught how to live with it. It exists in varying degrees and it is difficult to describe the exact symptoms. Some people seem to suffer from more severe forms than others. It is also a disorder that cuts across race, economic conditions, age and sex. Some researchers suggest that in most cases, the disorder is genetic, that is, it is passed from parent to child. Some brilliant people are now recognized as having had ADD. Among them are the writers George Bernard Shaw and Edgar Allan Poe, the physicist Albert Einstein and the prolific inventor Thomas Edison. There were numerous anecdotes of Edison starting a project then losing interest and leaving it to others to complete it for him. Most parents are not impressed when they are told of other famous people who may have had ADD. They want to be helped.

Parents and teachers are aware that more often than not, ADD sufferers drop out of school. It is sad that most educators realize a problem exists, but they do not have the time or the expertise to deal with the odd or special individuals in their crowded classrooms.

ADD is diagnosed as both a physical and a psychological problem. One common symptom that causes problems to caregivers is hyperactivity. Some hyperactive children require very little sleep. They wander around the house at night and need constant supervision. Some of them have little sense of danger. They therefore often end up with cuts and fractured limbs. Out of desperation, some parents allow doctors to prescribe a drug called Ritalin. The drug's purpose is to reduce the sufferer's activity level and improve his concentration. Unfortunately, only about 25 per cent of sufferers respond to the drug. In other words, there is no magic cure.

When a person is sent to be evaluated, an expert looks carefully for signs of coordination problems, mild speech disorders or deficiencies in the intellectual area. As the expert probes further, he gives more tests. The comprehensive tests can cause distress to both sufferer and caregivers.

Sufferers are given psychotherapy and for the whole family counseling is provided. There is always the possibility that ADD sufferers will end up with low self-esteem. They are confused by their lack of achievement in spite of their efforts and hurt by accusations of laziness or even worse, stupidity. It is believed that as many as 5 percent of Malaysians suffer from ADD, but are unaware of the problem.

Summary: Attention Deficit Disorder sufferers have great difficulty paying attention. They are easily distracted by sounds and movement. It is a disorder that affects the brain. Sufferers are taught to live with it. The disorder exists in varying degrees and victims show different symptoms. It cuts across race, sex and economic status. Its cause could be genetic. Some brilliant people like Thomas Edison, may have had ADD. Young victims appear to need little sleep and have little sense of physical danger. Some specialists recommend the drug, Ritalin. This helps reduce the activity level. Unfortunately, only 25 per cent of victims respond to it. It is only after many tests that victims are prescribed drugs. Psychotherapy is often recommended for the whole family. Sadly, ADD sufferers often end up with low self-esteem.