Is there a difference between ADD and ADHD?
Most people have heard of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. But what about other terms, like ADD or attention-deficit/hyperfocus disorder? Are they all referring to the same thing?
This article breaks down ADD and ADHD by answering the following questions:
What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Why do people still use the term ADD?
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
Is ADHD a sign of autism?
How does ADHD affect communication?
What conditions co-exist with or mimic ADHD?
Why do so many people have ADD/ADHD? What causes it?
Can I self-identify with ADHD without having an evaluation?
What is the ADHD assessment process?
Where can I find ADHD testing near me?
Where can I learn more about ADHD and similar conditions?
What’s the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Are ADD and ADHD the same thing? The short answer: Yes.
ADD is an out-of-date version of the diagnosis we know today as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
ADHD affects about:
5% of children between the ages of 5 and 11
11% of children between the ages of 4 and 17
3% of adults
ADHD is known for symptoms like impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulties with focus, concentration, memory, and motivation.
This set of symptoms used to be known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), the standardized guidebook widely used by mental health professionals, defines differences to mental health or neurological conditions like ADHD in each updated edition.
The clinical definition of ADHD has been through many iterations of the DSM, from attention-deficit disorder (ADD) in 1980 to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1987, and finally to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (also ADHD) in 1994.
And yes, the forward slash matters! Doctors use this updated grammar to highlight that people with ADHD can have one of three subtypes, now called presentations. These include:
Predominantly inattentive presentation. People with this form of ADHD struggle with things like organization, deadlines, and paying attention to conversations.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation. People with this form of ADHD tend to talk a lot, interrupt others, make impulsive decisions, and struggle to sit still.
Combined presentation. People with this form of ADHD show signs of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations.
If it’s outdated, why do people still use the term ADD?
A common misconception about ADHD is that someone “has” to show symptoms of hyperactivity to receive an ADHD diagnosis. According to the Child Mind Institute, however, the diagnosis of ADHD can still apply even if a person does not have hyperactive or impulsive behaviors.
Some parents have said things like, “My child isn’t hyperactive, so she can’t have ADHD.” However, this is an incorrect use of an outdated term, and can be confusing for medical professionals as well as for people with the diagnosis.
In cases where someone shows signs of ADHD but is not hyperactive, the correct diagnosis would be “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation.”
What are the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
The brains of people with ADHD are structurally different. Because of these structural differences, children with ADHD have trouble focusing and behaving.
Other ADHD symptoms include:
Fidgeting or tapping hands and feet
Talking too much
Interrupting others
Difficulty staying focused
Difficulty completing tasks
Struggling with prioritization and time management
Difficulty creating and maintaining relationships
To learn more, see ADHD Symptoms and Early Signs.
Is ADHD a sign or form of autism?
ADHD and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) share similar symptoms, but they are not the same condition. A person can have both ADHD and autism, but having one condition is not a guarantee they will have the other.
So, is ADHD a sign of autism? Does autism cause ADHD? The simple answer is no. Particularly in children, ADHD is often mistaken for autism, and vice versa.
Of the differences between ADHD and autism, the largest is that most people with ADHD are overwhelmed by and react constantly to outside stimuli, while people with autism tend to intensely focus on one thing.
This can happen in ADHD too (called hyperfixation), but most ADHD hyperfixations tend to go away with time, while autism fixations are often lifelong. For example, a child with ADHD might be obsessed with a certain TV show for a week before moving that passion to a new show, while a child with autism might hold onto that interest for many years.
How does ADHD affect communication in children?
ADHD can make communication complicated for both children and adults.
Children with ADHD may struggle to make friends. Some kids with ADHD have difficulty:
Sharing or taking turns
Managing their emotions
Following rules
Noticing other people’s feelings or body language
Concentrating on other people and listening to what they say
Listening without interrupting
If left untreated, these symptoms can turn into other communication challenges in adulthood.
How does ADHD affect communication in adults?
Many adults with ADHD don’t know that they have it. In fact, research shows that less than 20% of adults with ADHD receive a diagnosis and treatment for their symptoms.
While adults with ADHD may have the same symptoms they exhibited as children, these symptoms may appear in different ways. For example, an adult with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD might:
Have workaholic tendencies
Gamble a lot, or make risky decisions like driving too fast
Struggle with substance abuse
Fidget constantly
Change jobs a lot
Meanwhile, an adult with predominantly inattentive ADHD might:
Struggle to remember important dates like anniversaries and birthdays
Forget appointments
Show up late
Struggle to complete a project from start to finish
Frequently lose belongings like keys and wallets
Be very disorganized, both with work/school tasks and their personal belongings
These symptoms can be very frustrating for someone with ADHD and their loved ones. Loved ones may feel neglected or unappreciated if a friend or partner with ADHD forgets their birthday, fails to do their half of chores, or shows up late to events.
On the other hand, an adult with ADHD who exhibits these behaviors may get frustrated with themselves, have low self-esteem, or think there is something “wrong” with them.
Ultimately, people with ADHD can have fulfilling, authentic relationships and careers with proper treatment and therapy. New skills like time/task management, appointment tracking, and productivity software can help adults with ADHD succeed socially and in the workplace.
An ADHD diagnosis, no matter when it’s received, can be powerfully validating. Looking back on childhood and early adulthood, someone who has recently discovered they have ADHD may notice events or behaviors that at the time felt frustrating and overwhelming but were really related to undiagnosed ADHD.
It’s never too late to start ADHD treatment. Many people diagnosed “late” with ADHD see huge improvements in focus, productivity, and restlessness with treatment like medication and therapy.
### What conditions co-exist with or mimic ADHD?
About 85% of adults who are diagnosed with ADHD also have at least one other psychiatric or developmental disorder. Your doctor may suggest other tests and screenings for:
Depression
Anxiety
Thyroid problems
Why do so many people have ADD/ADHD? What causes it?
There is no one cause for ADHD, but research shows potential connections in genetics and brain development. Some doctors shy away from the term “disorder” for ADHD, preferring to call it a form of neurodiversity.
Contrary to popular belief, no research supports any of the following causing ADHD:
Overeating sugar
Watching too much television
Parenting methods
Poverty
Family chaos
To learn more about the causes and risk factors for ADHD, see ADHD Quick Facts.
Can I self-identify without going for an ADD/ADHD evaluation?
There is an online quiz to help adults evaluate their ADHD symptoms at home, but it is only a starting point. An official diagnosis requires a thorough assessment from a healthcare professional.
This assessment might include:
Psychiatric medical history
Physical medical history
Family history
Screenings to rule out other diagnoses
What is the ADD/ADHD assessment process?
There is no single ADD and ADHD test to confirm a diagnosis. However, a healthcare provider will likely use other tests to rule out conditions that mimic ADHD. Those tests may include:
Hearing tests
Vision tests
Blood tests
A test to measure electrical activity in the brain
A CT scan or MRI to check for brain abnormalities
Where can I find ADD/ADHD doctors near me?
Ability Central offers a nonprofit database that can help you connect with organizations in your area that serve people with neurodiverse conditions like ADHD. Use our Service Locator tool to find a nonprofit that can connect you with healthcare providers, support groups, and therapists in your area.
Where can I learn more about ADD/ADHD and similar conditions?
Ability Central has a library of resources to help you learn about ADHD and related conditions. See:
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
