ADD vs ADHD: What’s the Difference?

If your child frequently daydreams at school, is easily distracted when doing homework or chores, or fidgets excessively, you may suspect they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Is it attention deficit disorder (ADD)? Perhaps you've been wondering if you had ADD or ADHD when you were younger but were never diagnosed.

Not precisely. These are actually two terms for the same disorder, but doctors no longer use the term "ADD." You may still hear the term "ADD," but it is not an established diagnosis. A person with ADD nowadays would be labeled with one of ADHD's three categories.

In the 1800s, doctors began to notice symptoms of what is today known as ADHD. They referred to it as "nervous child," "simple hyperexcitability," or other similar phrases. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) referred to this mental health problem as attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which was published in 1980. There were two forms of ADD: hyperactive and non-hyperactive.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) was characterized by difficulty with attention and impulse control. The diagnosis includes three types of symptoms: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. They were also more precise than usual. The ADD categorization includes:

Had a cutoff score for symptoms.

Included recommendations regarding age of onset.

specified how long the symptoms persisted.

Required that other psychiatric illnesses had been ruled out.

In 1987, doctors renamed ADD to ADHD. They also eliminated the concept of two subtypes and combined the three symptom lists into a single one.

Another alteration occurred in 1994, with the publication of the next version of the DSM. The APA identified three forms of ADHD:

Inattentive

A combination of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

These three kinds were determined by researchers through interviews conducted during a field trial. They also found that ADHD is not limited to children. They pointed out that it could be chronic and last into adulthood.

According to the CDC, 7 million children in the United States have ADHD. This is according to a survey of parents. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, but girls can also have it. ADHD symptoms may be moderate or severe. It sometimes occurs in conjunction with other conditions, including:

Behavioral or behavior difficulties

Learning Disorders

Anxiety Depression

The correct diagnosis for you, a family member, or a child will be determined by the exact symptoms and their effects. It's critical to consult with an experienced mental health professional to ensure you get the correct diagnosis.

ADHD is a brain-related disorder. It may interfere with your child's normal activities at home and school. Children that have it have difficulty paying attention, managing their behavior, and are occasionally hyperactive.

Before your child is diagnosed, you should take notice of their symptoms. The CDC has an ADHD checklist for kids that might help you keep track of them.

Inattention. This includes disorganization, difficulty remaining on task, continuous daydreaming, and failing to pay attention when spoken to directly.

Impulsivity. Includes impulsive decisions made without regard for the possibility of harm or long-term consequences. They move rapidly to gain an immediate payoff. They may repeatedly interrupt teachers, friends, and relatives.

Hyperactivity. Squirming, fidgeting, tapping, chatting, and frequent movement are all common, particularly in inappropriate contexts.

Mental health practitioners in the United States utilize the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose all mental disorders, including ADHD. The latest edition categorizes it into three types:

ADHD, primarily inattentive presentation.

ADHD, characterized mostly by hyperactivity and impulsivity 

ADHD, mixed presentation (inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms).

Your diagnosis will be based on their individual symptoms.

Children with this syndrome are not hyperactive. They do not have the same level of energy as other ADHD patients. Indeed, children with this kind may appear shy or "in their own world." They may appear "spacey," uninterested, or easily distracted. The primary symptom is difficulty paying attention.

ADD is diagnosed when a child under the age of 16 exhibits six or more symptoms of inattention (five or more for older teens) for at least six months in a row but no indicators of hyperactivity or impulsivity.

Trouble paying attention (easily distracted)

Avoiding extensive mental duties, such as schoolwork.

Having trouble keeping on task at school, home, or even at play

Being unorganized and forgetful.

When explicitly addressed, it does not appear that the person is listening.

Not paying close attention to details.

Losing items frequently

Making stupid mistakes.

Struggling to comply with directions

Children with this form of ADHD may go untreated since their symptoms are attributed to daydreaming.

Children with this type of ADHD have an abundance of energy and are continuously moving, which poses complications. It is diagnosed when a child under the age of 16 exhibits six or more hyperactive/impulsive symptoms throughout a six-month period. This version is more visible than the inattentive type.

Blurting out replies before a question is completed

Constantly disrupting others.

Trouble waiting for their turn.

Talking too much

Fidgeting, tapping, squirming

Getting up when it is not acceptable (for example, when the teacher is talking or in the middle of meal)

Run or climb in improper settings.

Inability to play quietly.

Always "on the go"

A youngster with this type exhibits both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. They will be constantly on the move while simultaneously unable to concentrate.

There is no single test you can take to determine whether you or your child has ADHD. Many additional things can resemble ADHD, including:

Sleeping problems

Anxiety

Depression

Learning Disabilities

Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and child psychologists can diagnose ADHD using standard recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

You can also discover a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis through your health insurance, your child's teacher or school counselor, other ADHD parents, or non-profit groups like Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).

The diagnosis requires obtaining information from a variety of sources, including schools, caregivers, and parents. The health care provider will assess how a child's conduct compares to that of other children of the same age, and they may use standardized rating scales to document these behaviors.

To diagnose ADHD, your child should undergo a thorough medical examination, which includes vision and hearing exams. The FDA has also approved the use of the Neuropsychiatric EEG-Based Assessment Aid (NEBA) System, which is a noninvasive scan that measures theta and beta brain waves. Theta/beta ratios have been found to be higher in children and adolescents with ADHD than in those without it. The scan, which is licensed for use in people aged 6 to 17, is intended to be part of a comprehensive medical and psychological examination.

The examination may also include interviews with you, your child's teachers, and any other adults who have a significant impact on your child's life. The evaluator may ask each of you to complete standardized forms called "behavior rating scales," which score various elements of your child's conduct. These scales may also be used subsequently to monitor therapy progress.

The health care expert should obtain a comprehensive medical history to rule out any other disorders that may be influencing a child's behavior. Certain conditions that may mimic or produce ADHD-like behaviors include:

Recent major life changes (such as a divorce, a death in the family, or a recent relocation)

Undetected seizures

Thyroid issues.

Sleep troubles

Anxiety

Depression

Lead poisoning.

Many youngsters exhibit some of the symptoms of ADHD, but they do not necessarily have the illness. An ADHD diagnosis requires that:

These behaviors have persisted for at least six months.

Some symptoms began before the age of twelve.

Symptoms are evident in more than one setting.

Symptoms have a substantial impact on the child's social life and academic performance.

Keep in mind that many people who were diagnosed with ADHD as children still have it as adults. If you're an adult and suspect you have ADHD, consult a mental health specialist. When parents notice ADHD in their children, they may become aware that they themselves have it.