What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
There is no difference between ADD and ADHD. ADD (attention-deficit disorder) is an outdated term for what is now called ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Some kids with ADHD have hyperactive behaviors and some don’t, but the diagnosis is ADHD either way.
ADD/ ADHD FAQs
What you need to know about ADD/ADHD.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 11 percent of school-age children (Visser, et al., 2014.) Symptoms continue into adulthood in more than three-quarters of cases (Brown, 2013.) ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Individuals with ADHD can be very successful in life. However, without identification and proper treatment, ADHD may have serious consequences, including school failure, family stress and disruption, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, delinquency, accidental injuries and job failure. Early identification and treatment are extremely important.
More than 75 percent of children with ADHD continue to experience significant symptoms in adulthood. In early adulthood, ADHD may be associated with depression, mood or conduct disorders and substance abuse.
Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms.
Typically, ADHD symptoms arise in early childhood. According to the DSM-5, several symptoms are required to be present before the age of 12. Many parents report excessive motor activity during the toddler years, but ADHD symptoms can be hard to distinguish from the impulsivity, inattentiveness and active behavior that is typical for kids under the age of four. In making the diagnosis, children should have six or more symptoms of the disorder present; adolescents 17 and older and adults should have at least five of the symptoms present.
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to establish a diagnosis, rule out other causes, and determine the presence or absence of co-existing conditions. Such an evaluation requires time and effort and should include a careful history and a clinical assessment of the individual’s academic, social, and emotional functioning and developmental level.
After an autism diagnosis, families want to know how to best support their child.
ADHD in children often requires a comprehensive approach to treatment that includes the following:
• Parent and child education about diagnosis and treatment
• Parent training in behavior management techniques
• Medication
• School programming and supports
• Child and family therapy to address personal and/or family stress concerns
ADHD treatment for adults
Adults with ADHD can benefit by identifying the areas of their life that are most impaired by their ADHD and then seeking treatment to address them. Adults with ADHD may benefit from treatment strategies like those used to treat ADHD in children, particularly medication and learning to structure their environment. Medications effective for childhood ADHD continue to be helpful for adults who have ADHD.
As ADHD symptoms affect each person to varying degrees, the DSM-5 now requires professionals diagnosing ADHD to include the severity of the disorder. How severe the disorder is can change with the presentation during a person’s lifetime. Clinicians can designate the severity of ADHD as “mild,” “moderate” or “severe” under the criteria in the DSM-5.
Mild: Few symptoms beyond the required number for diagnosis are present, and symptoms result in minor impairment in social, school or work settings.
Moderate: Symptoms or functional impairment between “mild” and “severe” are present.Severe: Many symptoms are present beyond the number needed to make a diagnosis; several symptoms are particularly severe; or symptoms result in marked impairment in social, school or work settings. As individuals age, their symptoms may lessen, change, or take different forms. Adults who retain some of the symptoms of childhood ADHD, but not all, can be diagnosed as having ADHD in partial remission.
Children with ADHD often experience delays in independent functioning and may behave younger than their peers. Many children affected by ADHD can also have mild delays in language, motor skills or social development that are not part of ADHD but often co-occur. They tend to have low frustration tolerance, difficulty controlling their emotions and often experience mood swings.
Teens with ADHD present a special challenge. During these years, academic and life demands increase. At the same time, these kids face typical adolescent issues such as emerging sexuality, establishing independence, dealing with peer pressure and the challenges of driving.
In early adulthood, ADHD may be associated with depression, mood or conduct disorders and substance abuse. Adults with ADHD often cope with difficulties at work and in their personal and family lives related to ADHD symptoms. Many have inconsistent performance at work or in their careers; have difficulties with day-to-day responsibilities; experience relationship problems; and may have chronic feelings of frustration, guilt or blame.