Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 11/3/2009

Question
I am 62 and recently was evaluated for Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, which confirmed what I had suspected for years. The reason for finally going to the doc was to determine if it was ADD or the early onset of Alzheimer's. I have been on medication for the last three months and can honestly say it has completely changed my life.
My question is, does the military community accept Adult ADD as a condition, and if so, does the community treat personnel (through military physicians# for the disorder. In my research, I have discovered that many can learn to cope with the problem, but if properly evaluated and treated #as I recently was), most can become infinitely more productive, which I think benefits the military.


Answer
Tom,
I'm glad to hear you're doing much better now.

Yes, the military recognizes ADD/ADHD as genuine problems but they do not deal with it.  New recruits wishing to enlist who have ADD are denied enlistment and when military members are diagnosed with it, they are discharged and turned over to civilian doctors for treatment.
The reason is not so much the disorder as the  drugs used to treat it.  These are controlled drugs with considerable "abuse potential."

The implications are these are nasty drugs with lasting psychological side-affects which could make one a hazard to themself and others.   While one probably could function normally in the military during peace time, the psychological aspects of combat could bring about all sorts of unknowns.  The psychological stress of military service is quite unlike the day-to-day life of a civilian.

I hope this is what you're looking for.

Please excuse me for the delay, I've been off on a no-notice mission.

Colonel H