Mental health professionals no longer diagnose ADD. Instead, they diagnose one of three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) appear to only differ by one letter in the names of the conditions.
However, a much bigger underlying difference exists — that ADD is no longer diagnosed.
ADD is an outdated term for ADHD.
ADD first appeared in the third edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-3),” a reference manual that helps mental health professionals diagnose mental health conditions.
Experts separated the condition into two subtypes:
- ADD with hyperactivity
- ADD without hyperactivity
When the American Psychiatric Association released a revised edition in 1987, they combined these two subtypes into one condition: ADHD.
Today, ADHD is one of the more common childhood mental health conditions.
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Adults can have ADHD, too. According to a
- nearly 3% of adults globally have persistent ADHD from childhood
- about 7% of adults have symptoms of adult ADHD
Since these estimates come from reported symptoms and diagnoses, some believe the real prevalence of ADHD could be higher.
Experts have identified three types of ADHD based on the main symptoms involved:
- inattention
- impulsivity and hyperactivity
- a combination of inattention and hyperactivity
Inattentive type
Originally, ADD described what’s now inattentive ADHD.
A mental health professional might have provided a diagnosis of ADD if you had persistent symptoms of inattention and distractibility and few signs of hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Now, they’d most likely provide a diagnosis of ADHD with a predominantly inattentive presentation.
With this type of ADHD, you or a child
- have trouble keeping track of special dates and due dates
- find it difficult to complete tasks on time and procrastinate on schoolwork, chores, and projects you enjoy
- have a hard time paying attention, even to things that interest you
- make frequent mistakes in your work
Hyperactive type
This type of ADHD, also called the hyperactive-impulsive type, involves symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- constant talking
- difficulty waiting patiently or taking turns
- frequent restlessness, fidgeting, squirming, pacing, or tapping hands and feet
- difficulty staying still
- trouble engaging quietly or participating in relaxing activities
- act out of turn
- blurt out answers
- emotional outbursts or difficulty managing extreme or intense emotions
Combined type
People with the combined type of ADHD have symptoms of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
Some experts suggest that the combined type of ADHD is more common than the other two types, especially in adults.
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According to data from 12 studies, about:
- 3% of children and adolescents with ADHD had the predominantly inattentive type
- 3% had the hyperactive-impulsive type
- 2% had the combined type
Parents and teachers may find signs of combined ADHD easier to recognize, since it involves all symptoms. As a result, people with combined ADHD may have a better chance of receiving the correct ADHD diagnosis. This may give the perception that combined ADHD is more common.
A diagnosis of ADHD requires more than demonstrating key symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. You cannot provide a self-diagnosis of ADHD.
Children need to have 6, and adults 5, or more symptoms of ADHD for at least 6 months. You
- have some symptoms before the age of 12 years
- show symptoms in at least two different settings, including at school, home, work, with friends, or during other activities
- have symptoms severe enough to interfere with function at school, work, or in social situations and affect quality of life
Before providing a diagnosis of ADHD, a mental health professional will also rule out other mental health conditions, including:
- mood or anxiety disorders
- substance use disorders
- personality disorders
- dissociative disorders
Parents and teachers may not always notice symptoms of ADHD in children, especially when those symptoms are less easy to observe and don’t disturb others.
A child with inattentive ADHD might seem dreamy or distant. They might also seem intently focused on what looks like class notes when they’re actually doodling or zoning out.
If you don’t receive a diagnosis in childhood, you might not seek support unless you begin to have problems at work, school, or in your relationships.
You may find your symptoms of ADHD improve with age. That said, if you never receive the correct diagnosis or treatment, you might continue to find those symptoms difficult to cope with.
As a result, you might feel as if they’re getting worse over time.
Other mental health symptoms, like anxiety and depression, and stressors that come with being an adult, may also affect your symptoms. These factors may lead to changes in your symptoms.
Generally speaking, the symptoms of ADHD remain much the same for children and adults. But if you have more responsibilities as an adult, your symptoms could have more of an impact on your life.
- In childhood, it might matter less if you frequently forget dates or lose your keys.
- As an adult, forgetting to pay bills, losing your wallet or keys, or frequently showing up late for work may have more serious consequences.
You might have heard ADD (the inattentive type of ADHD) described as a “less severe” form of ADHD. But none of the three ADHD types are necessarily any more or less severe than the others.
Regardless, symptom severity may differ from person to person, even in the same family. You and a sibling could both have the combined type of ADHD, but one of you may have milder symptoms.
The”milder” inattention symptoms may still have a big impact, even without being so obvious. You might still face difficulty with:
- focusing
- staying organized
- completing tasks correctly and timely
These symptoms might not improve if they go without a proper diagnosis or treatment. They may last into adulthood and continue to create challenges in your life.
Receiving the correct diagnosis and finding the best treatment for you can go a long way toward helping you manage these symptoms effectively.
Benefits of living with ADHDWhether you have symptoms or received a diagnosis of ADHD, you may feel “different.” We’re here to tell you your feelings are valid. But living with ADHD may actually have some benefits when looked at in another light.
Mental health professionals no longer provide a diagnosis of ADD. Instead, ADHD has replaced this term.
You’ll receive a diagnosis of one of the three types of ADHD — inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined — based on your symptoms.
Sharing the symptoms you notice with your therapist or doctor can help them arrive at the correct diagnosis. Determining the type of ADHD you have can put you one step closer to finding an effective treatment.
At the end of the day, what matters most is finding a treatment that works for you, whether that involves therapy, medication, or both, or something else.