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Sunday, April 22, 2012

What is the Difference Between ADD and ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders diagnosed in children today. However, many people are wondering what happened to the original ADD diagnosis. Some people are feeling a little confused when it comes to the differences to ADD and ADHD. This can be especially true for parents who have children with the disorder.

Understanding your child’s disorder can be important for learning how to parent your child. It can help you understand their treatment and how to approach different situations that your child may face, not just today, but also in their future. This can make all the difference in helping your child succeed in their adult life.

Adults can also suffer from the disorder. For them, understanding their disorder can help them understand their treatment options and their limitations in life. While this type of a diagnosis can sometimes lead adults to feeling embarrassed or strange, it really is a common condition that adults deal with.

Attention disorders did not start gaining attention until almost the 1980s. This led to many children who had the disorder but had no knowledge of it. They just knew that they were different. Therefore, it is quite possible that many more adults suffer with the condition than it is realized. This is because attention disorders exist for life.

Understanding your diagnosis, your symptoms, and your treatment options can help. However, before you can truly understand your diagnosis, we must delve a little into the history of ADD and ADHD. We will also explore ADD and what happened to the original diagnosis.

Early Diagnosis

Initially, there was just one classification for attention disorders; ADD or attention deficit disorder. This was used to describe both children and adults that experienced difficulty concentrating, staying still, or focusing. This condition was entered into the Diagnostics Statistics Manual in 1980.

It was found, however, that this diagnosis did not truly encompass or classify many individuals, particularly children that were diagnosed with ADD. This led to a revised diagnosis of ADD. The new diagnosis was ADHD with three different sub-sects – ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type, ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, and ADHD Combined Type.

ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type

ADD, or simple attention deficit disorder, no longer truly exists. For those suffering from only inattentiveness are now classified as ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type.  So, essentially, there is no difference between ADD and ADHD. It is simply a classification of ADHD now.

Individuals with ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type will generally experience symptoms that relate to inattentiveness. Hyperactivity is generally not displayed. This is more common for adults and girls. However, boys can also be classified under this ADHD classification. Inattentive symptoms can include:

  • Difficulty following instructions
  • Short-term forgetfulness
  • Often makes careless mistakes
  • Disorganized
  • Frequently loses things
  • Gets distracted easily
  • Seems to have trouble listening
  • Avoids tasks that require focus or an extended amount of time
  • Difficulty in sustaining attention on something

ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

In ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulse Type, hyperactivity will be the stronger symptoms. Boys are most commonly diagnosed with this type of ADHD. However, girls and adults can deal with this type of ADHD as well. Those that suffer from ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulse Type may display symptoms that include:

  • Frequently interrupts the conversations and activities of others but doesn’t notice it.
  • Talks a lot
  • Extremely impatient
  • Seems to always be “on the go.”
  • Fidgets or has difficulty in sitting still.
  • Often has a difficult time performing tasks quietly.
  • Runs, climbs, jumps, or moves from seat frequently
  • Experiences difficulty in waiting for turn.

ADHD Combined Type

For children and individuals that have ADHD combined type, they are likely to display many of the symptoms in both ADHD Predominately Inattentiveness Type and ADHD Predominately Hyperactivity-Impulsive Type. This type of diagnosis is more frequent in children than adults. However, adults can experience this ADHD classification as well.

Why Are Classifications Important?

For some, the different classifications may seem to make ADHD more complicated. However, there is reasoning behind these different classifications. Properly classifying the sect of ADHD that you or your child suffers with can help to determine proper treatment options.

Individuals with ADHD Predominately Inattentive Type are unlikely to need the same types of medication or treatment as those with ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. This can be especially true when it comes to medication.

Medication for those with ADHD Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive Type will need medication to help them slow down. However, those that suffer from ADHD Predominately Inattentive Type will simply need medication to help them focus on the task at hand. This difference in medication can mean the difference between effective or ineffective treatment results. This is exactly why proper treatment and diagnosis should only be determined by a physician.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

What is Inattentive ADHD and How is it Different

ADHD may be the most diagnosed neurological disorder in children today but it is highly misunderstood. This can mean big problems for parents and the children affected. It is important to understand this disorder, at least as much as it can be. This can help you understand your child, their limitations, their abilities, and their strengths and weaknesses in learning and in life. This can help you help your child succeed.

ADHD actually has three different categories: ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive, ADHD Predominantly Inattentive and ADHD Combined Type. ADHD Combined Type and Hyperactive are very common amongst young children and definitely account for the majority of ADHD cases. However, the third classification, ADHD Predominantly Inattentive is more frequent in girls. In fact, girls are much more likely to be diagnosed with this type of ADHD, if any at all.

Because of the way ADHD Predominantly Inattentive displays itself, children with this classification are often skipped when it comes to ADHD screening. They are often thought of as lazy or daydreamers. They may even seem rather easy to get along with because of the lack of the impulsive part of ADHD. However, Inattentive ADHD can cause just as many problems as Hyperactive ADHD, especially if it goes undiagnosed.

Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

To be diagnosed, you should notice at least six of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive symptoms in your child for at least six months. These symptoms should take place in at least two different settings. For example, your child should display these symptoms at home and at school or daycare. Your child must be at least 7 years of age before a proper diagnosis can take place. You should also be aware that these symptoms can be seen in both girls and boys but are more common in girls.
Symptoms for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive, according to the DSM-IV are:

  • Often forgetful, even in daily routines.
  • Distracted easily by noises and activity surrounding them.
  • Dislikes and even avoids activities that require a great deal of concentration or time. This can include chores, school work, homework, even fun activities like board games.
  • Doesn’t seem to listen, even when being directly spoken to.
  • Often makes careless mistakes or pays little attention to detail.
  • Frequently loses important items.
  • Experiences difficulty in organizing things, tasks, and school work.
  • Often struggles at following through with instructions.
  • Seems to experience difficulty at sustaining attention, particularly for things that require a great deal of concentration.

Children who have ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive might seem like they are often daydreaming. You are likely to think that they are just disobeying the rules when you ask them to complete certain tasks. You may think that they don’t understand their homework or school work or you may perceive that they are lazy. They may draw instead of focusing on school work. They may even talk.

Unlike ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactivity, you are unlikely to experience the “on the go” symptoms that some children display. The lack of this symptom can cause parents to think that their child does not have ADHD. However, cases like this are extremely common in young girls and can be displayed in boys.

Why is Treatment and Diagnosis Important?

It may seem like, since your child does not have the hyperactivity or impulsive behavior, that treatment is not a big deal. However, it is just as important in Inattentive ADHD as it is in Hyperactive or Impulsive ADHD.
Concentration is required for school and, later in life, work. Relationships are built around the ability to listen to others. Your child may feel like they are “dumb,” “not smart,” or “stupid.” It is very possible that your child wonders what is wrong with them and may even have low self-esteem because of their low grades.

Getting a diagnosis and treatment for your child may not cure their ADHD. However, it will help you and your child learn about their disorder. Certain medications can help them focus better. With a little hard work, they can catch up on their school work and start making better grades. They can also start building healthy peer relationships once they start feeling better about their self. This can be extremely important to their social and professional future.

ADHD does not just go away. It is something that your child will have to deal with for their entire lives. Wouldn’t you rather your child learn how to cope with it at a time in their life when they have support and guidance from you? Learning the skills they need to function with their disorder can help them tremendously in their future. If you suspect that your child might have Inattentive ADHD, talk to your doctor and find out the truth.