ADD Vs ADHD: What You Need to Know

If you were asked to imagine a person with attention deficit disorder, what images would come to your mind? Take a moment and try to picture it. When attention deficit disorder is mentioned, or portrayed in the media, it often evokes the image of someone who is easily distracted, disorganized, and constantly fidgeting or moving around.

People are also more likely to imagine a male child or adolescent, because boys are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. So, chances are, you imagined the male “class clown” who always forgets his homework-- not a quiet and well-behaved female student.

Would it surprise you to know that both of them could actually have the same underlying mental health condition? The male student is displaying ADHD symptoms, while the female student is more likely to be experiencing ADD symptoms. However, they could both benefit from ADHD treatment. If this is surprising to you, keep reading, because there’s more to learn about the complexities of ADD and ADHD.

What is ADHD?

As a clinician who has worked in schools as well as mental health treatment facilities, I have encountered many adolescents with ADHD. One of them was a 14-year-old high school freshman, “Ethan” (NOTE: name & details have been changed to protect privacy). His ADHD symptoms matched those of the rambunctious boy that people tend to imagine.

Ethan would often blurt out silly or inappropriate comments in the middle of a lesson, and he needed constant redirection. He moved around like he was propelled by rocket fuel-- running, jumping, even doing a backflip once (to the horror of the staff).

He quickly became friends with a few other boys and made them laugh. Ethan was very impulsive- which resulted not only in mischievous antics in the classroom, but also risky behaviors at home.

The risky behaviors in question (stealing, lying, arguing with parents) ultimately led to police involvement and inpatient hospitalization. Fortunately, Ethan did improve with ADHD treatment and had a successful freshman year.

Many of Ethan’s ADHD symptoms were linked to hyperactivity, which is an externalizing behavior. “Externalizing behaviors” are outward behaviors that are easily observed by parents, teachers, and peers. These types of behaviors tend to have negative effects on others, ranging from mild annoyance to serious disruption.

Hyperactivity (constant movement) and impulsivity (doing things without thinking first) fall into the category of externalizing behaviors, and these are two of the three main hallmarks of ADHD. The other important component of ADHD is inattention, or difficulty maintaining focus, which is shared with ADD.

What is ADD?

To put it simply, ADD is the same disorder as ADHD, minus the hyperactivity and impulsivity. The term “ADD” is technically nonexistent in the latest version of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). “ADD” is no longer used by clinicians, and it has been replaced by “ADHD, predominantly inattentive type.” However, for the purposes of this article, we will continue to refer to it as ADD.

The main feature of ADD is inattention, or the inability to focus, which is an internalizing issue. That means that others cannot always observe this from an outside perspective.

For example, we may notice when someone is looking out the window or doodling while we are speaking to them. However, a person with ADD could be looking directly at the speaker, but they may not retain any information because they are distracted by their own thoughts.

Inattention can manifest in several different ways, including:

• Forgetting about appointments or deadlines
• Difficulty planning tasks
• Making careless mistakes
• Being disorganized
• Difficulty following instructions

At the beginning of this article, when you were asked to imagine a person with ADHD, I predicted that you probably did not think of a quiet, well-behaved female student. If she is not visibly hyperactive or impulsive, and she does not cause any disruptions, her ADD may not be noticeable to teachers or parents.

Since the symptoms are invisible to everyone except herself, she may not ask for help or even realize that she needs ADHD treatment. This is why girls and women are more likely to be diagnosed with ADD than ADHD, if they are diagnosed at all.

It is important to note that anyone could have ADD or ADHD, regardless of their biological sex. Boys may still be diagnosed with ADD, and girls could have ADHD, although these combinations are less likely.

Common ADHD Symptoms

ADHD and ADD is characterized by a range of symptoms that affect an individual's ability to focus, control impulses, and regulate activity levels. These ADHD symptoms are typically categorized into two main types: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Symptoms of Inattention

• Difficulty Sustaining Attention: Struggles to stay focused on tasks or play activities.
• Careless Mistakes: Makes frequent errors in schoolwork, work, or other activities due to lack of attention to details.
• Avoidance of Tasks: Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework or preparing reports.
• Forgetfulness: Frequently forgets daily tasks, such as chores, errands, or keeping appointments.
• Easily Distracted: Gets easily distracted by unrelated stimuli and loses track of tasks.
• Lack of Follow-Through: Starts tasks but often does not finish them, shifting from one incomplete activity to another.
• Disorganization: Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, leading to messy work and missed deadlines.
• Losing Things: Frequently loses items necessary for tasks and activities, such as tools, books, keys, or eyeglasses.

Symptoms of Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

• Fidgeting or Squirming: Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in their seat.
• Inability to Stay Seated: Gets up from seat in situations where remaining seated is expected.
• Excessive Running or Climbing: Runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations (in teens and adults, this may present as restlessness).
• Difficulty Playing Quietly: Struggles to engage in activities quietly.
• “On the Go”: Acts as if "driven by a motor," being always on the move.
• Excessive Talking: Talks excessively, often without considering if it is appropriate or not.
• Blurting Out Answers: Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
• Difficulty Waiting Turn: Has difficulty waiting for their turn in games, conversations, or lines.
• Interrupting or Intruding: Often interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or activities.

Which Type of ADHD is More Severe?

ADHD and ADD can both be extremely difficult to manage. For people with ADHD or ADD, feelings of irritability, shame, and frustration are common. They may wonder “why is it hard for me to do things that should be easy?” Problems with daily tasks often lead to feelings of failure.

People with ADD or ADHD may also experience difficulties with friendships and relationships, because others may get annoyed or frustrated with their behaviors. A friend, coworker, or partner may be frustrated with their inability to follow through with tasks, remember commitments, or inability to take care of responsibilities.

The stigma surrounding ADHD and ADD makes it more likely for these people to be negatively judged by others. Stigma is also a barrier to healthcare, education, career opportunities, and mental health treatment.

ADHD is more likely to result in external consequences due to poor decision-making and impulsive behaviors. Hyperactivity and impulsivity make it more likely (but NOT guaranteed) that an individual will engage in delinquent, aggressive, or antisocial behavior.

On the other hand, ADD has been shown to take a greater toll on women than men due to the likelihood of misdiagnosis. Girls and women, who are more likely to be diagnosed with ADD, are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms and conflict with their mothers.

Fortunately, ADD symptoms and ADHD symptoms can improve with treatment. ADHD treatment typically includes a combination of talk therapy and medication. It is important to note that ADHD can only be officially diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.

If you are noticing that you have some ADD symptoms and/or ADHD symptoms, or if you are seeking help for another person, please consider contacting Clarity Clinic. ADHD treatment, testing, and medication management are all available to you.

Leading ADHD Treatment in Chicago

At Clarity Clinic, we provide the best therapy and psychiatry services for ADHD in Chicago. Our experienced team is dedicated to offering personalized treatment plans tailored to both children and adults. If you or your child is struggling with ADHD, don't wait to seek help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards effective ADHD treatment. Book an appointment with our mental health professionals today and experience the leading ADHD treatment in Chicago!

For your convenience we have mental health clinics located throughout Chicago ( Loop, Lakeview Broadway, Evanston, Arlington Heights, and River North) as well as online therapy and telehealth options.

Related readings:

• How to Tell If a Child Has ADHD?
• Self-Care for People with ADHD
• ADHD Vs. Autism in Adults: What's the Difference

ADD vs ADHD: Commonly Asked Questions

Is ADHD a disability?

Yes, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is considered a disability. It is recognized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States, which ensures services to children with disabilities. ADHD can significantly impact daily functioning and academic performance, qualifying individuals for accommodations in educational and workplace settings.

What does ADHD stand for?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

The main ADHD symptoms include Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity.

Is ADHD genetic?

Yes, ADHD has a strong genetic component. Research indicates that ADHD tends to run in families, and genetics are a significant factor in the development of the disorder.

Is ADHD a mental illness?

Yes, ADHD is classified as a mental illness. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects mental functioning, behavior, and emotional regulation.

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is an outdated term that was previously used to describe a type of ADHD characterized primarily by inattention and distractibility without the hyperactivity component.

Why is ADD no longer a diagnosis?

ADD is no longer a diagnosis because it was incorporated into the broader category of ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). ADHD now includes three presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined.

Is ADD on the autism spectrum?

No, ADD (or ADHD) is not on the autism spectrum. However, both conditions can co-occur, and some symptoms may overlap, such as difficulties with social interactions and attention.

Is ADD neurodivergent?

Yes, ADD (now classified as ADHD) is considered a neurodivergent condition. Neurodivergence refers to variations in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, and other mental functions, and includes conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others.