ADD or ADHD? Clarifying the Diagnostic Terms and Their Differences
Understanding that each of these terms is different can help you better navigate conversations about attention challenges, whether for yourself or a loved one.
The Short Answer
ADD is no longer an officially recognized diagnosis within the medical community. When the diagnostic manual was updated in the 90s, the official term was changed to ADHD. Now, ADHD serves as the umbrella term for all presentations of the condition. Despite the change, ADD still stuck around in everyday conversation.
Why the Name Changed
The terminology shifted from ADD to ADHD as professionals in the field gained a better understanding of how attention challenges occur. Symptoms manifest differently, and not everyone with the condition appears hyperactive. The term ADD in itself is a bit restrictive, so the ADHD diagnosis was selected to include various presentations.
Traditional ADD
ADD refers to the term used until 1994 to describe individuals with attention-deficit disorder. Under this diagnosis, hyperactivity was not considered a factor.
The Three ADHD Presentations
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
This is the type formerly known as ADD. These individuals struggle primarily with focus, organization, and task completion. They may appear forgetful or “spacey,” often referred to as daydreamers.
Common signs include:
Difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or conversations
Frequently losing personal items like keys, phones, or documents
Appearing forgetful in daily activities
Struggling with follow-through
Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
Individuals with this type may demonstrate:
Excessive movement and fidgeting
Difficulty staying still for too long or constant restlessness
Interrupting behaviors
Struggling to wait their turn
While hyperactivity tends to be more visible, it’s actually less common as a standalone presentation.
Combined Presentation
This is the most common form of ADHD. It includes significant symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. Someone with combined presentation might struggle with focus while also feeling physically restless or impulsive.
Why the Distinction Matters
Understanding these presentations is more than just semantics. The presentation you’re dealing with, along with any associated symptoms, can directly influence the direction of your treatment. Certain approaches will work better with one type over the other.
If you have predominantly inattentive ADHD, you may benefit from organizational tools than someone whose primary struggle is hyperactivity.
Additionally, recognizing that ADHD isn’t just about hyperactivity helps reduce stigma. Many adults, especially women, will go undiagnosed for years because they don’t fit the typical mold of what ADD is assumed to be. Their symptoms are downplayed as laziness when in reality, it’s a neurological challenge.
What This Means for Treatment
Whether your symptoms resemble traditional ADD or you experience hyperactive symptoms, there are multiple treatment options available. Therapy can guide you in developing strategies to meet you where you need them the most.
The focus can be on strategies for managing attention challenges, improving organization, aiding time management, and building self-esteem that may have diminished over the years. Cognitive-behavioral approaches tend to be effective in addressing the underlying thought patterns and behaviors associated with ADHD. The goal is to teach you how to work with your brain rather than against it.
Moving Forward Healthily
When it comes to seeking a diagnosis or exploring treatment, you’ll want to use the proper ADHD term. During individual counseling sessions for ADHD treatment, be prepared to discuss your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. From there, the healing can begin.
If you’re concerned that ADHD might be affecting you, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better understanding and managing your symptoms.