What Is ADD?
The term ADD is commonly used to describe what clinicians now diagnose as
Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD. This quieter presentation of attention deficit disorder —
not associated with hyperactivity — is thought to be more common among girls and women.
Common symptoms of “ADD” include:
1. Poor working memory
2. Inattention
3. Distractibility
4. Poor executive function
What Is ADHD?
The term ADHD is commonly used to describe what doctors now diagnose as
Predominantly Hyperactive Type ADHD. The symptoms associated with this diagnosis align
more closely with the stereotypical understanding of ADHD:
A squirmy, impulsive individual (usually a child)…
Bursting with energy…
Who struggles to wait his or her turn.
Adults with hyperactive or impulsive ADHD may be…
Talkative
Fidgety
Have nervous energy
What’s the Difference Between ADD and ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological or psychological disorder.
Technically speaking, attention deficit disorder (ADD) is no longer a medical diagnosis. Since
1994, doctors have been using the term ADHD to describe both the hyperactive and inattentive
subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder1. Still, many parents, teachers, and adults
continue to use the term ADD when referring to inattentive symptoms and presentations of the
condition.
What Are the 3 Types of ADHD?
Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD
People who describe themselves as having ADD most likely have inattentive type ADHD.
Symptoms include forgetfulness and poor focus, organization, and listening skills. Inattentive
ADHD often resembles a mood disorder in adults, while it’s seen as spacey, apathetic behavior
in children, particularly girls.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-V)2, six of the
following symptoms must be present to warrant a diagnosis of ADHD, Primarily Inattentive
Type:
Often fails to give close attention to details, or makes careless mistakes
Often has difficulty sustaining attention
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish projects
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Often loses things necessary for tasks/activities
Is often easily distracted
Is often forgetful in daily activities
If you think you have Primarily Inattentive Type ADHD, take our self-test and share your results
with a medical professional.
[Self-Test: Inattentive ADHD Symptoms in Children]
[Self-Test: Inattentive ADHD Symptoms in Adults]
Symptoms of Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
This sub-type encompasses many of ADHD’s stereotypical traits: a child (usually a boy)
bouncing off the walls, interrupting in class, and fidgeting almost constantly. In reality, only a
small portion of children and adults meet the symptom criteria for this type of ADHD.
According to the DSM-V, six of the following symptoms must be present to warrant a diagnosis:
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which is it inappropriate; feelings of restlessness
in teens and adults
Has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
Appears “on the go” or acts as if “driven by a motor.”
Talks excessively
Blurts out answers
Has difficulty waiting for their turn
Interrupts or intrudes on others
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
If you think that you have one of the above three types of ADHD, you should see a medical
professional for an official diagnosis. You can find more information in our
comprehensive ADHD diagnosis guide.
Diagnosis in children and teenagers
Diagnosing ADHD in children depends on a set of strict criteria. To be diagnosed with ADHD,
your child must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness, or 6 or more symptoms of
hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Read more about the symptoms of ADHD.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must also have:
been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months
started to show symptoms before the age of 12
been showing symptoms in at least 2 different settings – for example, at home and at school, to
rule out the possibility that the behaviour is just a reaction to certain teachers or to parental
control
symptoms that make their lives considerably more difficult on a social, academic or occupational
level
symptoms that are not just part of a developmental disorder or difficult phase, and are not
better accounted for by another condition
Diagnosis in adults
Diagnosing ADHD in adults is more difficult because there's some disagreement about whether
the list of symptoms used to diagnose children and teenagers also applies to adults.
In some cases, an adult may be diagnosed with ADHD if they have 5 or more of the symptoms of
inattentiveness, or 5 or more of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, listed in diagnostic criteria
for children with ADHD.
As part of your assessment, the specialist will ask about your present symptoms. However,
under current diagnostic guidelines, a diagnosis of ADHD in adults cannot be confirmed unless
your symptoms have been present from childhood.
If you find it difficult to remember whether you had problems as a child, or you were not
diagnosed with ADHD when you were younger, your specialist may wish to see your old school
records, or talk to your parents, teachers or anyone else who knew you well when you were a
child.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, their symptoms should also have a moderate effect on
different areas of their life, such as:
underachieving at work or in education
driving dangerously
difficulty making or keeping friends
difficulty in relationships with partners
If your problems are recent and did not occur regularly in the past, you're not considered to have
ADHD. This is because it's currently thought that ADHD cannot develop for the first time in
adults.
Causes-Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Contents
1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment
6. Living with
The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not fully understood,
although a combination of factors is thought to be responsible.
Genetics
ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your
parents are a significant factor in developing the condition.
Research shows that parents and siblings of a child with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD
themselves.
However, the way ADHD is inherited is likely to be complex and is not thought to be related to a
single genetic fault.
Brain function and structure
Research has identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD
from those without the condition, although the exact significance of these is not clear.
For example, studies involving brain scans have suggested that certain areas of the brain may be
smaller in people with ADHD, whereas other areas may be larger.
Other studies have suggested that people with ADHD may have an imbalance in the level of
neurotransmitters in the brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly.
Groups at risk
Certain groups are also believed to be more at risk of ADHD, including people:
who were born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) or with a low birthweight
with epilepsy
with brain damage – which happened either in the womb or after a severe head injury later in
life
Treatment-Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Contents
1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment
6. Living with
Treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help relieve the
symptoms and make the condition much less of a problem in day-to-day life.
ADHD can be treated using medication or therapy, but a combination of both is often best.
Treatment is usually arranged by a specialist, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist, although the
condition may be monitored by your GP.
Medication
There are 5 types of medication licensed for the treatment of ADHD:
methylphenidate
dexamfetamine
lisdexamfetamine
atomoxetine
guanfacine
These medications are not a permanent cure for ADHD but may help someone with the condition
concentrate better, be less impulsive, feel calmer, and learn and practise new skills.
Some medications need to be taken every day, but some can be taken just on school days.
Treatment breaks are occasionally recommended to assess whether the medication is still needed.
If you were not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood, your GP and specialist can discuss which
medications and therapies are suitable for you.
If you or your child is prescribed one of these medications, you'll probably be given small doses
at first, which may then be gradually increased. You or your child will need to see your GP for
regular check-ups to ensure the treatment is working effectively and check for signs of any side
effects or problems.
It's important to let your GP know about any side effects and talk to them if you feel you need to
stop or change treatment.
Your specialist will discuss how long you should take your treatment but, in many cases,
treatment is continued for as long as it is helping.
Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication for ADHD. It belongs to a group of
medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas
that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.
Methylphenidate may be offered to adults, teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD.
The medication can be taken as either immediate-release tablets (small doses taken 2 to 3 times a
day) or as modified-release tablets (taken once a day in the morning, with the dose released
throughout the day).
Common side effects of methylphenidate include:
a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate
loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain
trouble sleeping
headaches
stomach aches
mood swings
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a similar medication to dexamfetamine and works in the same way.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD if at least 6 weeks of
treatment with methylphenidate has not helped. Adults may be offered lisdexamfetamine as the
first-choice medication instead of methylphenidate.
Lisdexamfetamine comes in capsule form, taken once a day.
Common side effects of lisdexamfetamine include:
decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain
aggression
drowsiness
dizziness
headaches
diarrhoea
nausea and vomiting
Dexamfetamine
Dexamfetamine is similar to lisdexamfetamine and works in the same way. It may be offered to
adults, teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD.
Dexamfetamine is usually taken as a tablet once or twice a day, although an oral solution is also
available.
Common side effects of dexamfetamine include:
decreased appetite
mood swings
agitation and aggression
dizziness
headaches
diarrhoea
nausea and vomiting
Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine works differently from other ADHD medications.
It's a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which means it increases the amount of a
chemical in the brain called noradrenaline.
This chemical passes messages between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and
help control impulses.
Atomoxetine may be offered to adults, teenagers and children over the age of 5 if it's not possible
to use methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine. It's also licensed for use in adults if symptoms of
ADHD are confirmed.
Atomoxetine comes in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day.
Common side effects of atomoxetine include:
a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate
nausea and vomiting
stomach aches
trouble sleeping
dizziness
headaches
irritability
Atomoxetine has also been linked to some more serious side effects that are important to look
out for, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
If either you or your child begin to feel depressed or suicidal while taking this medication, speak
to your doctor.
Guanfacine
Guanfacine acts on part of the brain to improve attention, and it also reduces blood pressure.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5 if it's not possible to use
methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine. Guanfacine should not be offered to adults with ADHD.
Guanfacine is usually taken as a tablet once a day, in the morning or evening.
Common side effects include:
tiredness or fatigue
headache
abdominal pain
dry mouth
Therapy
As well as taking medication, different therapies can be useful in treating ADHD in children,
teenagers and adults. Therapy is also effective in treating additional problems, such as conduct or
anxiety disorders, that may appear with ADHD.
Some of the therapies that may be used are outlined below.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation means you or your child will be encouraged to discuss ADHD and its effects. It
can help children, teenagers and adults make sense of being diagnosed with ADHD, and can help
you to cope and live with the condition.
Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy provides support for carers of children with ADHD and may involve teachers
as well as parents. Behaviour therapy usually involves behaviour management, which uses a
system of rewards to encourage your child to try to control their ADHD.
If your child has ADHD, you can identify types of behaviour you want to encourage, such as
sitting at the table to eat. Your child is then given some sort of small reward for good behaviour
and has a privilege removed for poor behaviour.
For teachers, behaviour management involves learning how to plan and structure activities, and
to praise and encourage children for even very small amounts of progress.
Parent training and education programmes
If your child has ADHD, specially tailored parent training and education programmes can help
you learn specific ways of talking to your child, and playing and working with them to improve
their attention and behaviour.
You may also be offered parent training before your child is formally diagnosed with ADHD.
These programmes are usually arranged in groups of around 10 to 12 parents. A programme
usually consists of 10 to 16 meetings, lasting up to 2 hours each.
Being offered a parent training and education programme does not mean you have been a bad
parent – it aims to teach parents and carers about behaviour management, while increasing
confidence in your ability to help your child and improve your relationship.
Social skills training
Social skills training involves your child taking part in role-play situations and aims to teach
them how to behave in social situations by learning how their behaviour affects others.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think
and behave. A therapist would try to change how your child feels about a situation, which would
in turn potentially change their behaviour.
CBT can be carried out with a therapist individually or in a group.
Other possible treatments
There are other ways of treating ADHD that some people with the condition find helpful, such as
cutting out certain foods and taking supplements. However, there's no strong evidence these
work, and they should not be attempted without medical advice.
Living with-Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Contents
1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Diagnosis
5. Treatment
6. Living with
Caring for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be draining.
The impulsive, fearless and chaotic behaviours typical of ADHD can make everyday activities
exhausting and stressful.
Ways to cope
Although it can be difficult at times, it's important to remember that a child with ADHD cannot
help their behaviour. People with ADHD find it difficult to suppress impulses, which means they
do not stop to consider a situation, or the consequences, before they act.
If you're looking after a child with ADHD, you may find the below advice helpful.
Plan the day
Plan the day so your child knows what to expect. Set routines can make a difference to how a
child with ADHD copes with everyday life.
For example, if your child has to get ready for school, break it down into structured steps, so they
know exactly what they need to do.
Set clear boundaries
Make sure everyone knows what behaviour is expected, and reinforce positive behaviour with
immediate praise or rewards. Be clear, using enforceable consequences, such as taking away a
privilege, if boundaries are overstepped and follow these through consistently.
Be positive
Give specific praise. Instead of saying a general: "Thanks for doing that," you could say: "You
washed the dishes really well. Thank you."
This will make it clear to your child that you're pleased and why.
Giving instructions
If you're asking your child to do something, give brief instructions and be specific. Instead of
asking: "Can you tidy your bedroom?" say: "Please put your toys into the box and put the books
back onto the shelf."
This makes it clearer what your child needs to do and creates opportunities for praise when they
get it right.
Incentive scheme
Set up your own incentive scheme using a points or star chart, so good behaviour can earn a
privilege. For example, behaving well on a shopping trip will earn your child time on the
computer or some sort of game.
Involve your child in it and allow them to help decide what the privileges will be.
These charts need regular changes or they become boring. Targets should be:
immediate – for example, daily
intermediate – for example, weekly
long-term – for example, three-monthly
Try to focus on just one or two behaviours at a time.
Intervene early
Watch for warning signs. If your child looks like they're becoming frustrated, overstimulated and
about to lose self-control, intervene.
Distract your child, if possible, by taking them away from the situation. This may calm them
down.
Social situations
Keep social situations short and sweet. Invite friends to play, but keep playtimes short so your
child doesn't lose self-control. Don't aim to do this when your child is feeling tired or hungry,
such as after a day at school.
Exercise
Make sure your child gets lots of physical activity during the day. Walking, skipping and playing
sport can help your child wear themselves out and improve their quality of sleep.
Make sure they're not doing anything too strenuous or exciting near to bedtime.
Read our page on health and fitness, which includes information on getting active, and how
much activity you and your child should be doing.
Eating
Keep an eye on what your child eats. If your child is hyperactive after eating certain foods,
which may contain additives or caffeine, keep a diary of these and discuss them with your GP.
Bedtime
Stick to a routine. Make sure your child goes to bed at the same time each night and gets up at
the same time in the morning.
Avoid overstimulating activities in the hours before bedtime, such as computer games or
watching TV.
Night time
Sleep problems and ADHD can be a vicious circle. ADHD can lead to sleep problems, which in
turn can make symptoms worse.
Many children with ADHD will repeatedly get up after being put to bed and have interrupted
sleep patterns. Trying a sleep-friendly routine can help your child and make bedtime less of a
battleground.
Read more information about creating a bedtime ritual for better sleep.
Help at school
Children with ADHD often have problems with their behaviour at school, and the condition can
negatively affect a child's academic progress.
Speak to your child's teachers or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO)
about any extra support your child may need.
Adults with ADHD
If you're an adult living with ADHD, you may find the following advice useful:
if you find it hard to stay organised, then make lists, keep diaries, stick up reminders and set
aside some time to plan what you need to do
let off steam by exercising regularly
find ways to help you relax, such as listening to music or learning relaxation techniques
if you have a job, speak to your employer about your condition, and discuss anything they can
do to help you work better
talk to your doctor about your suitability to drive, as you'll need to tell the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) if your ADHD affects your driving
contact or join a local or national support group – these organisations can put you in touch with
other people in a similar situation, and can be a good source of support, information and advice
