GOLF TIP #7: A DIAGNOSIS THAT CAN HURT YOUR GAME

Have you ever suspected that you should be a better golfer than you are, given the amount of practice and years you've played? Do your golfing friends feel your game should be further along than it is? Do you have trouble keeping your mind on the game or are you distracted by thoughts during your swing? If so there may be more problems involved than meet the eye. Now please stay with me here. There is no panacea for all golfing woes. As anyone who has played the game knows, golf is a very fickle and difficult game. However, there are some golfers who struggle with their game more than most players do. These players may have undiagnosed problems that influence their game significantly and most of them have no idea they have a very treatable condition and how much the lack of diagnosis and treatment affects their game. A common problem affecting somewhere between three to eight percent of the U. S. population is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.

Common symptoms are: distractibility, poor planning ability, impulsivity, carelessness, disorganization, forgetfulness, difficulty maintaining adequate focus and failure to pay close attention to details. Any of these symptoms can diminish optimal sports performance in any one. Of course all golfers experience some of these problems at times and it's possible that other diagnoses can also be involved such as depression, or anxiety, which can further complicate the picture. The disorder is increasingly being diagnosed in adults as it has become clear that ADHD is often a lifelong disorder. Physicians are treating more adults with medications often prescribed for children such as Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera and sometimes anti-depressants which help decrease the symptoms. For golfers, who have this diagnosis, medication can help their game significantly.

So what are some indicators to watch for? Difficulty in schoolwork and achievement in an otherwise capable individual may be one sign to look for. Also, especially in older adults, a history of ADHD in siblings, cousins, children and grandchildren may also be an indicator, as the disorder tends to run in families. Few adults are aware that evaluation is straightforward, painless, and affordable, usually involving an interview, brief testing and the completion of questionnaires. If three to eight percent of all golfers have ADHD, as the data suggest, untreated ADHD may affect millions of golfers.

What is not known is how many golfers are being treated successfully as diagnoses, especially psychiatric diagnoses, are not usually disclosed to others. Yet we know that the late Payne Stewart had ADHD and that he took medication to treat it. It would not be surprising to learn that several tour players have ADHD and are being treated for it with medication. So if you believe you have ADHD you would do well to consult with a mental health professional for evaluation and testing. Then, if confirmed, a consultation with a physician may not only help your life, it may also help your game. If you desire, please feel free to consult my office for further information.

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