ADD vs ADHD - WebMD

ADHD is a brain-based disorder. It can interfere with your child's everyday activities at home and at school. Kids who have it have trouble ... MenuNewsReferenceSlideshowsQuizzesVideosQuestions&AnswersMedicationsFindaPsychiatristWebMDRxSavingsCardOverview&FactsSymptoms&DiagnosisTreatment&CareLivingWithADHDWhatIsADHD?CommonSymptomsSymptomsbyAgeADHDinTeensPreventionMedicationSideEffectsNon-DrugTreatmentsDietandADHDMedicalConditionsSimilartoADHDNon-MedicalConditionsADDvs.ADHDTourette'sSyndromeAdultADHDParentingChildren’sHealthTeenHealthBrainandNervousCenterFindaPsychiatristMoreRelatedTopicsADHDADHDinChildrenReferenceMenuMedicallyReviewedbySmithaBhandari, MDonOctober22,2021ArticlesOnIsItADHDorSomethingElse?MedicalConditionsSimilartoADHDNon-MedicalConditionsADDvs.ADHDTourette'sSyndromeYourchilddaydreamsalotatschoolandiseasilydistractedwhentheyaredoinghomeworkorchores.Maybetheyfidgetconstantly.Youmightwonderiftheyhaveattention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD).Orisitattentiondeficitdisorder(ADD)?Isthereadifference?Notanymore.In1994,doctorsdecidedallformsofattention-deficitdisorderwouldbecalled"attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder,"orADHD, evenifthepersonwasn'thyperactive.Nowit'scalled ,inattentivetype,orADHD,hyperactive/impulsivetype,orADHD,combinedtype.Whichtermisrightforyourfamilytousedependsonyourchild'sspecificsymptomsanddiagnosis.It'simportanttotalkwithanexperiencedmentalhealthprovidertomakesureyourchildgetstherightdiagnosis.DaydreamerorFidgeter?ADHDisabrain-baseddisorder.Itcaninterferewithyourchild'severydayactivitiesathomeandatschool.Kidswhohaveithavetroublepayingattentionandcontrollingtheirbehavior,andaresometimeshyperactive.Beforetheyarediagnosed,youwillwanttonoteyourchild'ssymptoms.TheCDCoffersanADHDchecklistforchildrenthatmayhelpyoukeeptrackofthem.Herearethesignstolookfor:Inattention:Includesdisorganization,problemsstayingontask,constantdaydreaming,andnotpayingattentionwhenspokentodirectly.Impulsivity:Includesspur-of-the-momentdecisionswithoutthinkingaboutthechanceofharmorlong-termeffects.Theyactquicklytogetanimmediatereward.Theymayregularlyinterruptteachers,friends,andfamily.Hyperactivity:Involvessquirming,fidgeting,tapping,talking,andconstantmovement,especiallyinsituationswhereit'snotappropriate.MentalhealthprofessionalsintheUnitedStatesusetheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSM)todiagnoseallpsychiatricconditions,includingADHD.Thelatestversiondividesitintothreetypes:ADHDpredominantlyinattentivepresentation(whatusedtobecalledADD)ADHDpredominantlyhyperactive-impulsivepresentation ADHDcombinedpresentation (bothinattentiveandhyperactive-impulsivesymptoms)Yourchild'sdiagnosiswilldependontheirspecificsymptoms.ADHDPredominantlyInattentivePresentationKidswiththisconditionaren'thyperactive.Theydon'thavethehighenergylevelseeninotherswithADHD.Infact,childrenwiththisformmayseemshyor"intheirownworld."ADDisdiagnosedifachildunderage16has6ormoresymptomsofinattention(5ormoreforolderteens)foratleast6consecutivemonthsbutnosignsofhyperactivity/impulsivity.Thesymptomsinclude:Troublepayingattention(easilysidetracked)Doesn'tlikeoravoidslongmentaltasks(suchashomework)Troublestayingontaskduringschool,athome,orevenatplayDisorganizedandseemsforgetfulDoesn'tappeartolistenwhendirectlyspokentoDoesn'tpaycloseattentiontodetailsLosesthingsoftenMakescarelessmistakesStrugglestofollowthroughwithinstructionsChildrenwiththissubtypeofADHDmaygoundiagnosedbecausethesymptomsmaybechalkeduptodaydreaming.ADHDPredominantlyHyperactive-ImpulsivePresentationChildrenwiththisformofADHDhavetonsofenergyandareconstantlymovinginawaythatcausesproblems.It'sdiagnosedifachildunderage16has6ormorehyperactive/impulsivesymptomsforatleast6months(5ormoreforolderteens).Thisformismorenoticeablethantheinattentivetype.Symptomsinclude:BlurtingoutanswersbeforeaquestionisfinishedConstantlyinterruptingothersTroublewaitingfortheirturnTalkstoomuchFidgeting,tapping,andsquirmingGetsupwhenit'snotappropriate(suchaswhentheteacheristalkingorinthemiddleofdinner)RunningorclimbingininappropriatesituationsUnabletoplayquietlyAlways"onthego"ADHDCombinedPresentationAchildwiththistypehassymptomsofbothinattentionand hyperactivity/impulsivity.NextInIsItADHDorSomethingElse?Tourette'sSyndromeADDvs.ADHD:What''stheDifference?HowtoHelpYourChildSucceedinSchoolADHDorTourette's?IsItMoreThanJustaTantrum?HowADHDAffectsYourTeen'sLifeADHDvs.AutismHowtoUseHyperfocustoYourAdvantageTypesofADHDADHDHyperactive-ImpulsiveType:Symptoms,Causes,andTreatmentADHDInattentiveType:Symptoms,Causes,andTreatmentADDvsADHDHyperactivity:MedicalRealityorConvenientExcuseADHDandDepression,Anxiety,OppositionalDefiantDisorder,andLearningDisabilitiesTypesofADHDTopicsWhenYourChildIsDiagnosedWithADHDAguideforwhat'snext.CouldYourChildHaveADHD?Assessthesymptoms.ADHDandDisciplineTipsforparents.TheTeenageYearsHowisADHDdifferentinolderchildren?ARTICLECanaPreschoolerHaveADHD?SLIDESHOWSymptomsofADHDQUIZSchoolTipsforKidsWithADHDSLIDESHOWWhatDoesADHDLookLikeinGirls?QUIZADHDMythsandFactsARTICLEBadinMath?ItCouldbeDyscalculiaArticleWhat'stheRightMedicationforYourChild?ARTICLEDoVideoGamesCauseADHD?GirlsandADHD8ProblemsThatCanLookLikeADHDCoulda504PlanHelpYourChild?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