ADD and ADHD - The Differences

What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?. This is one of the most often asked questions concerning this neurological disorder. ADHD is already covered under the article What is ADHD?, so we will keep it to a minimum here.

ADD and ADHD basically refer to the same thing. The difference is in the terminology used, of which ADD is the older terminology and should not be used to describe people with ADHD.  Many people still use the two terms interchangeably. Some would use ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. It is still common for most lay people, and even some professionals, to label it as ADD or A.D.D (these names came about in 1980).

If there’s a difference at all, than it is the letter “h” which stands for hyperactivity. It thus goes without saying that unlike those with ADHD, children with ADD are not hyperactive or disruptive. That is why some people refer to ADD as “Attention Deficit Disorder without hyperactivity".

The official nomenclature in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV [American Psychiatric Association], 1994) is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

ADHD is now divided into three sub-types:

* Combined Type

* Predominantly Inattentive Type, and

* Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type.

              The 3 subtypes of ADHD

 (** refer to the article ADHD Symptoms)

Individuals with this neurological disorder suffer learning disabilities, behaviour inappropriateness, appear withdrawn, easily distracted, appears to be lazy, and have difficulties in social or emotional environments. They often have problems paying attention, following instructions, staying on task, or completing work given to them. That is why children with ADHD often have academic problems because as we all know to do well academically we need to focus, stay organized and retained the materials given to us.

ADD and ADHD are believed to be gene-related and is not something you can suddenly come down with.  Symptoms such as excessive daydreaming or hyperactivity must be present in early childhood (by the age of seven) in two or more settings and cannot be explained by some other psychological condition such as depression or anxiety.  But there have been cases where people exhibited similar symptoms after suffering a brain trauma.

So, in a nutshell ADD and ADHD basically refer to the same thing. ADD merely doesn’t have the hyperactive component or symptoms.

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