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Mental Health

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

ADHD/ADD | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatments

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the official name of the clinical diagnosis of this disorder. However, the term Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is frequently used. Both terms refer to the same condition. ADD without hyperactivity is also known as ADD/WO (Without) or Undifferentiated ADD. In years past, the disorder was known by other names, including minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), hyperactivity or hyperkinesis, or conduct or behavior disorder.

ADHD/ADD is a syndrome (a group of symptoms or signs) that is usually characterized by serious and persistent difficulties resulting in:

Who has ADHD/ADD?

ADHD/ADD is a treatable, but not curable, complex disorder that affects approximately 4 to 6 percent of the general population. Two to three times more boys than girls are affected. On average, at least one child in every classroom in the United States is affected by this disorder. ADHD/ADD often continues into adolescence and adulthood, resulting in a lifetime of physical and emotional adjustments that will need to be made.

What are symptoms of ADHD/ADD?

A person with the symptoms of ADHD/ADD often:


This page was last updated on: February 5, 2008.

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