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This is because ADD was the label used by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) who specified two variants, ADD with or without hyperactivity. In the early and mid 1980s, ADD, or attention deficit disorder, was the accepted way of referring to attention difficulties. The first thing to know is that they changed the name. So, what’s the difference? From ADD to ADHD This is not unusual given attention difficulties are among the most common childhood behavioral disorders (1).īut if you are confused by the terminology surrounding attention difficulties, especially ADD vs ADHD, you’re not alone. Jessie Wolf is a clinical social worker in Psychiatry & Psychology in New Prague, Minnesota.Many educators have worked with bright and motivated children who struggle to perform at school due to attention difficulties. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about may have ADHD, contact your health care team to discuss assessment and treatment options. Medications also can reduce symptoms so a person can learn the skills and techniques to improve symptoms. Standards of treating ADHD include learning techniques and skills to improve organization, completion of tasks, time management, and strategies to improve impulse control. The brains in people with ADHD work differently than those without ADHD. Kennedy.Īlso, ADHD has nothing to do with being lazy, lacking self-control or not trying hard enough. Many notable people have had ADHD, including Benjamin Franklin and President John F. What ADHD is notĪDHD is unrelated to intelligence. This type of ADHD is seen in a person who experiences a combination of inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms. In adults and adolescents, symptoms can include restlessness and fidgeting. In children, symptoms also can include running or climbing in inappropriate situations. Impulsive behaviors - acting without thinking.
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Tendency to talk too much, blurt or interrupt.This may present as a child touching everything while waiting or a person bouncing from line to line to find the shortest line Difficulty standing in line or waiting.Frequently shifting from task to task without fully completing what has been started.Having a hard time sitting still and a constant need to be on the go or moving around.Hyperactivity or impulsivity ADHD Symptoms can present themselves as: Not fully listening even though the person may be looking right at youĢ.Forgetting to perform daily activities, such as completing chores or homework.Difficulty following multiple-step instructions.
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