Is ADD the Same Thing as ADHD

Is ADD the Same Thing as ADHD ADHD Print Are ADD and ADHD the Same Condition? The History Behind the Name Changes By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial policy Keath Low Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 08, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 10, 2020 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Nick David/Getty Images You may have heard the terms ADD and ADHD used interchangeably. Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are indeed the same condition, its just that ADHD has had several name changes in the last three decades.?? This is because as more research is carried out, understanding grows and the name has been changed to reflect that knowledge. ADHD is now the official name of the disorder. However, many people still use the term ADD, which was the formal name from 1980 to 1987. Some people get angry or frustrated when they hear that ADD and ADHD are the same. They feel that the H, which stands for hyperactivity, doesn’t accurately describe them or their child. Understanding the evolution of the changes in the name can help. A Brief Timeline of the Changing Name of  ADHD The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association. Its the standard guideline that doctors, mental health professionals,  and clinicians use when theyre assessing and diagnosing ADHD and other mental health issues. Each new update and revision of the DSM is eagerly anticipated, as it can mean a big or small change in what each condition is called, and in the criteria for diagnosing them, including ADHD.   1980 The third edition of the DSM (DSM-III) was released and the official name for the condition became attention-deficit disorder (ADD). At this time, hyperactivity was not considered to be a frequent symptom. Two subtypes of ADD were identified: ADD with hyperactivityADD without hyperactivity 1987 A revised version of the DSM-III was released. The official name became attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This meant that hyperactivity was considered to be an important feature of ADHD. 1994   The DSM-IV was published, with a slight grammar change in the name. The official name was now attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The slash between attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder indicated something meaningful. You could have either or both subtypes. You didn’t need to be hyperactive to be diagnosed with ADHD. The three subtypes were called: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, combined type  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive typeAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type                 2013 The fifth edition of the DSM was released (DSM-5). The three subtypes of ADHD remain the same, but now theyre called presentations instead of subtypes. They include:   Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, combined presentation  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive presentation      Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation.                         DSM-5 takes into account how symptoms present in both children and adults. This is good news, as it was felt that adult ADHD was being overlooked in the previous DSMs. How Mental Health Professionals Use the DSM Today Using the Term ADD You can still use the term ADD and people will almost certainly understand you. Many doctors, clinicians, and writers use ADD to mean inattentiveness and use ADHD to describe someone with hyperactivity. Some people use ADD and ADHD interchangeably. However, if you can make the mental switch from ADD to ADHD, it will help avoid potential confusion and keep you up-to-date with the most current terms. Basic Things You Should Know About ADHD The Hyperactivity Component Many people with inattentive ADHD feel that using hyperactivity in the name of the condition they have misrepresents their struggles. Often when laypeople hear ADHD, they automatically think hyperactivity and they don’t understand the subtleties of the different presentations. Of course, you don’t have to share your diagnosis with anyone, but if you choose to, you can elaborate a little and explain that its inattentive ADHD, which helps clarification straight away. Many adults with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD don’t feel that the H accurately describes them either. When we think of hyperactivity, a child who is very physically active and unable to sit still in class comes to mind. As an adult, hyperactivity might show itself in less obvious ways. For example, you may have workaholic tendencies, talk a lot, fidget constantly, or drive very fast. It also might be that you are not as hyperactive as you once were. The fifth edition of the DSM recognizes that a person’s ADHD presentation may change  during his or her lifetime. Hyperactivity in Adults With ADHD vs. Children