Indianapolis Disability Attorney

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has received quite a lot of media attention in recent years. Some worry that it may be over-diagnosed, while a few people (almost none of them medical professionals) claim that it is not truly a disorder at all. Whatever others may say, people who have been accurately diagnosed with this disorder know how deeply it can affect a person's life.

Symptoms of ADHD

To be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a person must consistently display the following behaviors in more than one setting (i.e. at work and at home) to a degree that interferes with his or her ability to function:

• Impulsiveness: A tendency to act or speak without thinking
• Inattention: Difficulty focusing on one subject or task for long
• Hyperactivity: An inability to sit still

Although ADHD is widely thought of as a childhood diagnosis, adults can also display these symptoms throughout their lives. Hyperactivity usually diminishes as people with this disorder age, but impulsiveness and inattention may remain constant, especially if the disorder is not treated.

The Consequences of ADHD

Although many people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are able to support themselves and live typical lives, some people display such severe symptoms that their ability to work steadily is affected. These individuals should be eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, although these benefits can be very difficult to obtain.

The controversy surrounding ADHD can make it difficult to prove one has this disorder to a judge's satisfaction. Many people applying for ADHD disability benefits must try several times before their request is granted, if indeed it ever is.

We Can Help

To speak with an experienced and dedicated Indianapolis disability lawyer about Social Security disability benefits for ADHD, contact the Charles D. Hankey Law Office at 800-520-3633.