ADD stands for “attention deficit disorder,” while ADHD is the acronym for “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” ADD is now an outdated term and has been replaced by ADHD.
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What is ADD?
Attention deficit disorder, generally called ADD, is a common neurological condition among kids. It is also associated with hyperactivity.
As the name suggests, attention deficit disorder means struggling to keep attention or focus. In other words, when a person struggles to pay attention to something essential or cannot focus properly, they could get diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.
In such neurological conditions, a person loses focus, demonstrates impulsivity, or is hasty. These people are unorganized, show restlessness, keep tapping their feet, move their hands (or fidgeting), etc. An attention deficit individual can sometimes appear careless decisions and be overly pushy.
Symptoms of ADD
The symptoms of ADD start appearing in children around the age of 3 years or up to 6 years.
Some of the noticeable symptoms include:
- Difficulty focussing on studies
- Problems in performing given tasks within time
- Impulsive nature
- Distractibility
- Low self-esteem
- Overthinking
- Overeating
- Insensitivity
Note: ADD symptoms can remain the same when a child grows into an adult, or they can change.
What is ADHD?
The full form of ADHD is “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” It’s a neurological disorder where the person has trouble paying attention or demonstrates hyperactive behavior, as well as other symptoms.
This disorder is more common in boys than in girls. However, there are some stereotypes that might lead to boys being referred for diagnoses more often than girls. There is a high correlation between people diagnosed with ADHD and farsightedness.
3 Categories of ADHD
In the DSM-5, ADHD is divided into three subcategories:
- Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-I)
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI)
- Combined Type (ADHD-C)
Symptoms of ADHD
All three categories of ADHD show different symptoms based on their severity.
- Predominantly Inattentive Type: Disorganization, difficulty in listening, constant daydreaming, forgetting or losing things, making careless mistakes, etc.
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type: The common symptoms are constant foot tapping or movement, fidgeting, squirming, trouble getting along with others, etc.
- Combined Type: The symptoms include making careless and hasty decisions without thinking about long-term effects and constant interruption during essential conversations.
Difference Between ADD and ADHD
ADD and ADHD are two different acronyms that explain the same disorder. ADHD is the modern version of the term ADD. Therefore, doctors mainly use ADHD in reports, even if the individual is not demonstrating hyperactivity.
Remember that the presentation of ADHD can look different in each person, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your physical or mental health.
Here are some apparent differences between the two most common disorders.
Symptoms
ADD includes poor working memory, inattention, distractibility, poor executive function, daydreaming, etc.
ADHD includes more symptoms, such as constant tapping or movement, fidgeting, squirming, and trouble getting along with others.
ADD Types
- Overfocused ADD
- Limbic ADD
- Classic ADD
- Ring of Fire ADD
- Anxious ADD
- Temporal Lobe ADD
- Inattentive ADD
ADHD Types
- Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-I)
- Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI)
- Combined Type (ADHD-C)
Causes
Both ADD and ADHD can occur as a result of genetics. However, ADHD can be caused by smoking, drinking, or too much stress during pregnancy, in addition to genes.
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
ADHD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and learning disability, are often considered during diagnosis.
Doctors can conduct neurological and psychological testing to diagnose the disorder, as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychological Association (APA.)
Surprisingly, Inattentive ADHD is common in adults.
Is Autism the Same as ADHD?
Autism and ADHD can sometimes look similar, but they are not the same disorder. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects language skills, behavior, socializing, and the ability to learn.
ADHD, on the other hand, is a neurological condition that impacts behavior, decision-making, and attention.
| ADD | vs | ADHD |
| Attention Deficit Disorder | Full Name | Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder |
| Genes | Causes | Genes, smoking or drinking, too much stress during pregnancy. |
| Poor working memory, inattention, distractibility, poor executive function, daydreaming, etc. | Symptoms |
Constant tapping or movement, fidgeting, squirming, trouble getting along with others, etc. |
| Overfocused ADD Limbic ADD Classic ADD Ring of Fire ADD Anxious ADD Temporal Lobe ADD Inattentive ADD |
Types | Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-I) Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI) Combined Type (ADHD-C) |
| 2:1 | Male to Female Ratio | 4:1 |