| Attention Deficit Disorder is a very complex, | | | | had ADHD. This myth has been shattered |
| often misunderstood disorder. Its basis is | | | | recently, though. It is now known that both |
| physiological; however, a host of | | | | boys and girls can have attention deficit |
| ramifications may accompany it. That aside, | | | | disorder, and many do not outgrow it in |
| what are the differences between ADD and | | | | adulthood. One difference that has been noted |
| ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit | | | | is that girls tend to have the inattentive |
| Hyperactive Disorder, with the main symptoms | | | | version of ADD, which is often misdiagnosed |
| being visible hyperactivity and/or | | | | as depression. Because inattentive ADD does |
| impulsivity - which stand out to the | | | | not cause obvious problems and distractions |
| objective observer. ADD stands for Attention | | | | to the surrounding environment, many suffer |
| Deficit Disorder; its main distinguishing | | | | in silence for years before they find out the |
| feature is inattention. | | | | real cause of their troubles. |
| | | | |
| For many years, the typical picture of | | | | With both ADHD and ADD, early diagnosis is |
| Attention Deficit Disorder has been the | | | | crucial. Although difficulties in learning |
| little boy that is bouncing off the walls and | | | | are the most obvious symptom, some sufferers |
| driving his teachers and parents crazy. ADHD | | | | do not have significant issues with getting |
| is by far the most diagnosed of the two | | | | school work done. Keep track of your |
| subtypes, simply because it is so much more | | | | children, not just academically, but socially |
| visible than ADD. Since hyperactivity creates | | | | and emotionally as well. Do they have |
| a lot more distraction and problems in the | | | | trouble with other children? Does it seem as |
| classroom, it is identified earlier and gets | | | | though they find it difficult to be |
| the most attention Unfortunately, even though | | | | organized, or are excessively messy? Do they |
| ADD is not as visible, the results of the | | | | have trouble sitting still for a period of |
| disorder can be just as destructive. | | | | time? Are they excessively quiet or |
| | | | excessively talkative? It is important to |
| With inattentive attention deficit disorder, | | | | remember that these symptoms do not |
| or ADD, the person suffering from it will | | | | necessarily signify one is suffering from ADD |
| seem spacey and disorganized. Most often, | | | | or ADHD, but they do indicate outside help |
| sufferers will be staring out the window | | | | from a counselor or therapist is needed. Your |
| during classes and appear as if they are | | | | child's psychological health is just as |
| never quite present. This type is much more | | | | important as his/her physical health and how |
| difficult to diagnose; indeed, many | | | | he/she does in school. If you sense something |
| individuals having this form of ADD are | | | | is off, check it. If left undiagnosed for |
| unaware they have it for years. | | | | years, ADD can cause many secondary problems |
| | | | that could have been prevented, and that can |
| In the past, it was believed that only boys | | | | take a long time to undo. |