Comments on: Difference between ADD and ADHD

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:11:37 +0000

ADD is an outdated term that used to stand for "Attention Deficit Disorder." This was to distinguish primarily inattentive deficits from ADHD, "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." The distinction used to indicate whether the patient had more hyperactive symptoms, or a less energetic but equally inattentive form of attention deficit.

Now the term "ADD" is no longer used by professionals, and instead the two types are differentiated by saying either "ADHD, primarily hyperactive type" or "ADHD, primarily inattentive type." One is characterized by more hyperactive features, the things you usually think of when you think of ADHD – inability to sit for long periods of time, difficulty attending to a task, interrupting in conversations, abundance of energy, etc.

The latter is a quieter form of ADHD, the kids who just can’t seem to pay attention but aren’t disruptive. They might be seen as "slackers" because they don’t pay attention in class, doodle a lot, and just seem like general space cases. Children with primarily inattentive-type ADHD are the ones who are most frequently overlooked because their symptoms aren’t as obvious, because they aren’t loud and disruptive like children with primarily hyperactive ADHD.

Hope that helps clear things up!

By: Shaded

Shaded — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:11:37 +0000

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder. It means you cant pay attention.
ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. It means you can sit still and you can’t concentrate.

By: ace

ace — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:11:37 +0000

ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder and is not a psychiatric disorder.
ADD was used as a synonym for ADHD

By: ripriles

ripriles — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:11:37 +0000

Actually ADD and ADHD are the same thing. One is an older name for the condition.

The current name for the condition is ADHD – Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most people with ADHD have problems in three main area’s and they are 1. Attention deficit (concentration problems). 2. Hyperactivity and 3. Poor impulse control (behavior inhibition problems).

How ever some people with ADHD have something called ADHD Type A (predominately inattentive type). People with ADHD type A don’t have problems with Hyperactivity and behavior just with attention and concentration.

The term ADHD only started being used since the 1990′s.

Back in the 80′s the disorder was called ADD (attention Deficit disorder). There were two types and they were ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity. This name is an old term and it is no longer used in medicine or science.

However, some people still use the term ADD to describe people who have ADHD type A (which used to be called ADD without hyperactivity). because they think the new name is too confusing when these kids are not hyperactive at all.