ADD has a strong hereditary component, so ADD in a child is an important indicator that one or both parents may suffer from ADD and vice versa. Mild or non-specific deficits of executive functions are common in the general population. Executive functions may also be impaired by injury to the brain, fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. The diagnosis is based on the patient's history, clinical presentation, and, if possible, the observations of a friend or relative who has seen the individual function in daily life. As with most psychological disorders, the severity of the symptoms and their impact on the patient's life are important factors to consider in making the diagnosis.
Psychological testing can often be helpful.
Because the treatment of ADD differs from that of other disorders that impair executive function, a careful assessment should be carried out by an experienced clinician before treatment is undertaken.