Is it called ADD? ADHD? What's the difference?

The only difference is one of terminology, which can get confusing at times. The "official" clinical diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. There are three main subtypes of ADHD: Combined Type; Predominantly Inattentive Type; and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type.

Many people use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. Some people use ADD to mean the subtype of ADHD without hyperactivity (Predominantly Inattentive Type) which is not accurate and should not be done. The general term "ADD" is still commonly used among the general public, in the media, and even among some professionals. We are still talking about the same thing however, whether we call it ADD or ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition that affects an estimated 5-7% of the population. ADHD is an ongoing condition that affects children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. It occurs in both males and females, and in people of all races, socioeconomic status, and cultural backgrounds. ADHD may cause significant impairments in many areas of life such as school, home, the workplace, and in family and social relationships. ADHD is genetically influenced and runs in families.

ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:

• distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks)
• impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)
• hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)

In order to meet diagnostic criteria these behaviors must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. At least some symptoms must appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial consideration is that the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. These criteria set ADHD apart from the "normal" distractibility and impulsive behavior of childhood, or the effects of the hectic and overstressed lifestyle prevalent in our society.

According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) some common symptoms of ADHD include: often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes; often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks; often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; often fails to follow instructions carefully and completely; losing or forgetting important things; feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming; running or climbing excessively; often talks excessively; often blurts out answers before hearing the whole question; often has difficulty awaiting turn.

It should be kept in mind that the exact nature and severity of ADHD symptoms varies from person to person. Approximately one-third of people with ADHD do not have the hyperactive or overactive behavior component, for example.

Who has ADHD?

According to research data, approximately 5% to 7% of the U.S. population has ADHD. ADHD has also been diagnosed in many other countries. It is not affected by race or culture.

ADHD usually persists throughout a person's lifetime. It is NOT limited to children. Most children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors as adults, which impacts their lives on the job, within the family, in relationships, and in many areas of daily living. Common problems for adults involve severe difficulties with organization at home and work, difficulties planning and prioritizing, poor time management, chronic problems with procrastination, and difficulty sustaining attention and concentration on tasks.

Is there a cure for ADHD?

No. ADHD is not a disease or illness, therefore there is nothing to “cure.”  ADHD is a biological, genetic condition that people have for their entire lives. ADHD symptoms can be managed however, most effectively with a combination of behavioral strategies and routines and appropriate medication (for those individuals who need medication). The goals of treatment are to help the individual understand how ADHD affects his or her behavior and to manage the symptoms better.

What research shows about  ADHD

ADHD is NOT caused by poor parenting, family problems, poor teachers or schools, too much TV, food allergies, or excess sugar. One early theory was that attention disorders were caused by minor head injuries or damage to the brain, and thus for many years ADHD was called "minimal brain damage" or "minimal brain dysfunction." The vast majority of people with ADHD have no history of head injury or evidence of any type of brain damage however.

Another old theory was that refined sugar and food additives make children hyperactive and inattentive. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (see the resources page) concluded that this may apply to only about 5 percent of children with ADHD, mostly either very young children or children with food allergies.

ADHD IS very likely caused by biological factors which influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain, and which have a strong genetic basis. Studies at NIMH using a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner to observe the brain at work have shown a link between a person's ability to pay continued attention and the level of activity in the brain. Specifically researchers measured the level of glucose used by the areas of the brain that inhibit impulses and control attention. In people with ADHD, the brain areas that control attention used less glucose, indicating that they were less active. It appears from this research that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention and other ADHD symptoms. These differences are associated with lower levels of available neurotransmitters in those areas of the brain, particularly dopamine.

There is a great deal of evidence that ADHD runs in families, which is strongly suggestive of genetic factors. If one person in a family is diagnosed with ADHD there is a 25% to 35% probability that any other family member also has ADHD, compared to a 5% to 7% probability for someone in the general population. Twin studies have shown that if one twin has ADHD, there is a 90% probability that the other twin will also have ADHD.

Who is qualified to diagnose ADHD?

A comprehensive ADHD evaluation can be provided by a licensed health care professional with training and knowledge about ADHD (Physician, Clinical Psychologist, School Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, etc.). ADHD should never be self-diagnosed based on symptom checklists, internet questionnaires, etc.

How is ADHD diagnosed?

A diagnostic evaluation should be provided by a qualified health care professional, based on scores from standardized ADHD tests and a thorough life history. ADHD cannot be diagnosed accurately just from brief office observations, or just from talking to the person.  For more information please see the diagnosis page.