Does your child daydream a lot, have difficulty keeping their attention on tasks or do things impulsively without thinking of their consequences? If they exhibit one or more of these symptoms, they may likely have ADD or another subtype of ADHD. While they're often used interchangeably, both terms have slight differences which we explain in detail in this guide, along with their similarities.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical term for any neurological conditions that manifest inattentive symptoms, poor impulse control or signs of hyperactivity. It is divided into three distinct subtypes, namely:
- Inattentive Type
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
- Combined Type
Prior to being officially called ADHD, the condition was simply known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD). However, it evolved through the years and was finally named ADHD in 1994 by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV criteria). ADD is still used today, usually to reference individuals who have an autism spectrum disorder.
What is ADD?
A child with attention deficit disorder falls under the inattentive type ADHD, which means they have a very short attention span. They get easily distracted from everyday tasks and dislike tasks that require a lot of mental effort. The severity of symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms of ADD include:
- Poor attention
- Forgetfulness
- Unorganised
- Always losing personal belongings
- Trouble following instructions
- Difficulty paying attention to details
- Frequently committing careless mistakes
Parents of children with ADD want a line to be drawn between each ADHD subtype as the symptoms of ADD do not include hyperactivity or impulsive symptoms, which are more common in other ADHD conditions. In fact, most people with ADD find solace in their quiet activities and struggle with social interactions.
People with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD are the opposite of those with ADD. A doctor can diagnose a child with this condition if they have been exhibiting six or more of the following symptoms for at least six months:
- Feelings of restlessness
- Fidgeting and squirming
- Leaves seat in classroom during inappropriate times
- Interrupts others while they are talking
- Has difficulty waiting for their turn
- Excessive talking
- Has trouble engaging in leisure activities quietly
- Inability to conduct oneself properly (e.g. running or climbing where it's not allowed)
A child who manifests at least six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsive ADHD and six symptoms of inattention has the combined type. This means they can be quiet and engrossed in their own world one minute and be excessively active the next.
What Causes ADD and ADHD?
Research shows that a person's genes determine whether or not they are at risk of some form of ADHD. Most children who have been diagnosed with the condition have either one parent, a sibling or another family member with ADHD. Other factors that may lead to the development of this neurodevelopmental disorder include:
Premature birth
Preterm birth, especially between 23 and 36 weeks of gestation, increases the risk of ADHD. The result of a 2011 study conducted in Sweden shows that school-aged children who were prematurely born are more likely to develop ADHD than their children who reached full term.
Smoking or use of alcohol or drugs during pregnancy
Research shows that pregnant women who smoke increase their risk of having a child with ADHD by 75%. Prenatal alcohol and drug use is also a leading cause of mental retardation and other birth defects in babies.
Environmental Toxins
Exposure to environmental toxins, particularly lead, has been associated with ADHD by medical researchers. Studies show that the presence of lead in a child's blood can reduce their IQ and cause concentration problems.
Underdeveloped brain structures
Certain regions of the brain of a person with ADHD have low activity levels as they have not fully developed yet. The brain structures of a healthy person are connected by a network of neurons, which is not the case in an individual with ADHD, hence it takes them longer to learn new tasks, process information and manage their emotions.
Is ADHD Curable?
The symptoms of attention deficit disorder or other ADHD subtypes reduce in some people as they get older. Whilst there is no cure for these conditions, there are many ways in which you can make them more manageable so that they don't interfere with your child's daily activities. What's more, finding the best treatment options for them while they are young will spare them from having to go through the ordeal of adult ADHD. Many adults with the condition struggle with impulsive behaviours, mood swings, unwarranted anger and impatience, which put their relationships and work on the line.
Whether your child has ADD or another form of ADHD, working with a mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist, counsellor or art therapist, is the first step to improving their condition. You can get in touch with a qualified practitioner in your local area through the Natural Therapy Pages.
Originally published on Sep 10, 2021
