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At some point, you may have heard someone talk about ADD and wondered, “Is that the same thing as ADHD or is it something else?”
The difference between ADD and ADHD confuses many people—largely because there really isn’t a difference. Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) refers to people who have a specific type of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) called inattentive ADHD.
There are multiple subtypes of ADHD: inattentive ADHD, hyperactive ADHD, and combined inattentive and hyperactive ADHD. Hyperactive and combined ADHD are what most people think of as “typical” ADHD, which is where the distinction between what was considered ADD and the more hyperactive types of ADHD comes in.
Though there is a difference between inattentive ADHD (ADD) and the other forms of ADHD, they are all considered ADHD. This is why, in a formal sense, ADD is no longer a relevant term.
Here is a layout of the differences between what people might mean when they say ADD and the other forms of ADHD, as well as the reasoning behind combining them into one term.
What Is ADD Called Now?
Today, ADD exists under the umbrella of ADHD and is referred to as such. More specifically, one could use the term “inattentive ADHD” to describe the type of ADHD that used to be called ADD. Though people still use the term ADD, it’s not technically correct.
“ADD is still used as a colloquial term, but it is not a proper diagnostic criteria,” says Alex Cromer, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks. “ADD is an outdated term that refers to the subtype of ADHD called ‘inattentive ADHD.’”
That said, some people find it easier to refer to themselves as having ADD if they have inattentive ADHD. “Many people will still use the term ADD, but I like to correct them and say that ADD is not a ‘real’ diagnosis anymore,” Cromer says. “The proper diagnosis is ADHD with a subtype: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive, or combined presentation.”
Is the Term ADD Outdated?
ADD is a relatively old term that was used in 1980 to replace the previous title for the disorder, “hyperkinetic reaction of childhood.” This was to account for presentations that were not hyperactive, and ADD was used to represent both hyperactive and non-hyperactive cases. In the DSM-3 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), ADD had two subtypes: ADD with hyperactivity and ADD without hyperactivity.
However “ADD” has not been used as an official term for ADHD for decades, and it is not listed in the DSM-5 (current edition).
When Was ADD Removed from the DSM?
The term ADD was removed from the DSM in 1987 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), when it was combined with ADHD under the title of “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.”
Why Is ADD No Longer a Diagnosis?
ADD only stood as the official term for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for about seven years, with a distinction added to clarify two possible presentations.
ADD was then absorbed under the umbrella term ADHD. Subtypes were also added under ADHD, including the “predominantly inattentive” subtype, which took the place of ADD. Eventually the terminology was adjusted again in 2013, causing the “subtypes” to be referred to as “presentations.”
Now anyone with “ADD” symptoms is diagnosed with either inattentive ADHD or combined ADHD, and ADD is no longer an official diagnosis.
Inattentive ADHD (Formerly ADD) vs Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD Symptoms
Though ADHD and ADD are essentially the same, inattentive ADHD/ADD has symptoms that are distinct from other types of ADHD. ADHD symptoms vary across presentations, so not every case of ADHD will look similar.
| Presentation | Common Symptoms | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inattentive ADHD (formerly ADD) |
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| Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD |
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| Combined Presentation |
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What Does It Feel Like to Have Inattentive ADHD?
As people with ADHD grow from kids to adults, their symptoms will likely remain the same, but their coping skills will improve. That means that ADHD will feel and present itself differently in children than it will when they’re adults, despite dealing with the same problems.
Children with ADHD
As a child with “ADD”, you might be easily distractible. Anything can grab your attention, and it’s hard to maintain focus. It can feel impossible to complete tasks ahead of time, so things like to-do lists might stress you out.
In class, it might take you much longer to complete simple tasks than it takes your classmates, though you might not know why. You may have an active imagination, which can drag you away from the present and into your mind, making others see you as spacey or daydreamy. Following directions or listening to instructions could be difficult for you, causing you not to finish school assignments regularly.
Adults with ADHD
As an adult with ADHD, depending on what coping mechanisms you’ve created, it may still be difficult to be proactive or pay attention for long periods of time. You might avoid tasks that you think will take more brain power until the last minute. You also might find it hard to pay attention during long conversations, despite your best intentions, though you may have learned to make it look like you’re listening intently.
When you sit down to get something done, no matter how determined you are, absolute focus likely eludes you—even if you don’t actively choose to get off-task, you might lose focus without realizing it and catch yourself staring off into space. If you proofread or check your work, you might still miss small mistakes more often than you’d like. Forgetfulness plagues you, whether it’s losing things like keys or your phone or forgetting to do small tasks like pay bills, make a call, or take out the trash.
However your inattentive ADHD presents itself, just knowing that ADHD is what makes your ability to focus so slippery can feel like an immense relief. Many children and adults with undiagnosed inattentive ADHD were written off as “lazy,” “shy,” or “apathetic” for much of their lives, so the realization that this is not necessarily the case can do wonders to improve their mental health and even encourage them to seek diagnosis and treatment.
ADHD in Female Adults
Though boys are more commonly diagnosed with ADHD than girls, it’s becoming clearer that ADHD does not affect one gender more than the other. Girls and women experience ADHD at similar rates to boys and men, but they tend to be older than men when they are finally diagnosed.
“We tend to find that women are diagnosed later in life with ADHD, despite showing symptoms of ADHD as a child,” Cromer states. “There can be a multitude of reasons for this. For one, women/girls typically tend to ‘mask’ their behaviors well due to societal and cultural expectations that are placed upon them—expectations around maturity, propriety, etiquette, and more. Frankly, when it’s looked at through a feminist theory lens, they aren’t given an opportunity to be dysregulated, so they learn to hide it well and early.”
Girls and women also tend to present as inattentive rather than hyperactive, meaning they might seem more distracted or day-dreamy than impulsive. Since hyperactive traits are commonly used to spot children with ADHD in children, girls with ADHD who aren’t hyperactive may not get diagnosed until they are much older, if at all.
Together, these issues lead to gaps in diagnosis and inadequate treatment for girls and women.
This is an issue that is getting more attention and is slowly getting resolved. As more awareness is spread about the discrepancies in diagnoses between men and women with ADHD, more people are learning to spot the different kinds of ADHD.
Treatments for ADHD
ADHD is a lifelong condition, but effective treatments can significantly reduce its impact on daily functioning. The most successful approach often combines multiple strategies tailored to individual needs.
Therapy
The main therapy approach used to treat ADHD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—specifically, using these connections to get at the emotional roots behind unwanted behaviors. These adjustments help improve thinking patterns and change maladaptive or unhelpful behaviors that are impeding the individual’s ability to function.
Cromer lays out what an ADHD-focused therapy session typically goes: “ADHD-focused therapy sessions are often tailored to the client’s specific needs and symptomatic presentation. Sessions are directed at helping clients identify internal barriers to focus and task completion and use behavior modification tools, such as examining cognitive distortions and thought reframing, to help improve focus and executive functioning.
“Sessions are often much more structured than they would be for a client who does not have ADHD in order to effectively engage the client in meaningful dialogue and help them achieve their goals.”
Medication
Medication is often used alongside therapy to manage ADHD symptoms effectively. People can either take stimulants or non-stimulants for their ADHD, which work differently to reduce ADHD symptoms:
Stimulants
These medications are fast-acting, short-release drugs that start taking effect within an hour or so of taking them. They work by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to improve executive functioning (your ability to focus and make decisions). In order to take these medications, you may have to undergo medical testing to ensure your body can handle their effects, and they are controlled substances, as there is a risk of developing substance abuse when taken outside the prescribed boundaries. Examples of stimulants include:
- Adderall (dextroamphetamine salts/amphetamine)
- Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
- Concerta (methylphenidate)
Non-stimulants
These medications are extended-release medications, meaning that it takes longer for someone to feel their full effect. Extended-release medications take at least a week or more to fully enter (and leave) someone’s system. These must be taken once a day, every day, to be effective.
- Strattera (atomoxetine)
- Qelbree (viloxazine)
- Intuniv (guanfacine)
- Kapvay (clonidine)
Medication can be the most effective form of treatment for ADHD, though not for everyone. People can also experience side effects that outweigh the benefits to their mental health and functioning.
Education
Beyond clinical treatment, self-education is a powerful tool for managing ADHD symptoms. This process, called psychoeducation, can be very helpful for individuals with ADHD. Taking time to research the types of ADHD, what ADHD is, and how it works allows you to understand your brain and make sense of many of the patterns you fall into due to ADHD.
Learn about and try different organizational or life-management techniques and see which ones are most effective for you. Some of the most common practices you can use to help you manage ADHD in your daily life include:
- Establishing routines: Though it can be difficult, routines can help you stay organized and make it easier to care for yourself. If you frequently lose things, make an effort to put them in the same place every time you’re done using them. If you struggle to get moving in the mornings, think of something you can do every day that would make you excited to get up, such as going to a new coffee shop or making your favorite simple breakfast.
- Break up big tasks: To your ADHD, completing big tasks can feel like trying to push a cement block across concrete. Instead of trying to push all of it at once, take pieces of it at a time. If even picking one place to start seems to hard, choose at random—often, what you choose matters less than the act of getting started and building momentum.
- Manage distractions: Different people might find different things distracting, so it’s important to know what snags your attention and minimize it as much as possible. If you find it easy to drift off and daydream at your house, try going somewhere new or having a dedicated “work” room. If noises or conversations distract you, try working somewhere quiet like a library, or find some noise-cancelling headphones.
- Don’t overexert yourself: With ADHD, it’s easy to get into the habit of trying to force yourself to focus or get things done. However, that’s usually more effective at breeding guilt and shame than actually inspiring motivation. It’s important to have goals for yourself, but make sure to tune in to what your body and mind need—your lack of focus is usually trying to tell you something. When you can’t concentrate, take inventory: Are you hungry? Go eat a snack. Are you uncomfortable? See if you can change clothes or find a better place for you to work. Are you tired? Allow yourself a real 15-minute break instead of procrastinating.
Some might work better for you than others, so it’s important to try multiple strategies and pay attention to how effective they are. For example, some people might work better in new places or around other people, while others might find the activity and stimuli around them distracting and need a bare, quiet environment.
How Therapy Has Helped People with ADHD
Research shows that therapeutic interventions can be highly effective for managing ADHD symptoms, with measurable improvements in focus and daily functioning.
A 2023 study found that 25% of participants responded positively to online CBT treatment, and other research found stimulant medications were effective for up to 80% of people.
“Talk therapy is incredibly helpful with ADHD,” Cromer says. “It helps give individuals insight and awareness into their patterns of behavior. Talk therapy equips clients with coping and emotion regulation skills as well as behavior modification skills that are specifically tailored to meet their needs.”
If you see symptoms of ADHD in yourself, it could be a good idea to pursue a diagnosis and explore treatment options. Even small changes in your lifestyle could tremendously help your ability to focus and function daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did they stop using the term ADD?
The American Psychiatric Association replaced ADD with ADHD in 1987 to create a more comprehensive diagnostic framework. The new system better captured the full range of symptoms and presentations, including cases where hyperactivity wasn’t prominent.
Can a doctor still diagnose someone with ADD?
No, ADD is no longer an official diagnosis. Doctors now diagnose patients with ADHD and specify the presentation type: predominantly inattentive (formerly ADD), hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. The symptoms are the same—only the terminology has changed.
What’s it like to live with inattentive ADHD?
Living with inattentive ADHD often means struggling with focus, organization, and follow-through despite genuine effort. Many people describe feeling like their mind is constantly scattered, making it difficult to complete tasks or stay present in conversations, even when they desperately want to.
