| Attention Deficit Disorder is a very complex, and often | | | | destructive. |
| timesmisunderstood, disorder. Its basis is physiological, | | | | For many years, it was thought that only boys had |
| but it can have ahost of ramifications that come along | | | | ADHD. This mythhas been shattered recently, though. |
| with it. That aside, what are thedifferences between | | | | It is now known that bothboys and girls can have |
| ADD and ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit | | | | attention deficit disorder, and many do notgrow out of |
| Hyperactive Disorder, with the main symptoms being | | | | it in adulthood. One difference that has been noted is |
| visiblehyperactivity and/or impulsivity. These are the | | | | thatgirls tend to have the inattentive version of ADD, |
| symptoms thatstand out to the objective observer. | | | | and many times it ismisdiagnosed as depression. |
| ADD stands for Attention | | | | Because inattentive ADD does notcause obvious |
| Deficit Disorder with the main symptoms being | | | | problems and distractions to the surrounding |
| inattention. Nowmany other things can come along with | | | | environment,many suffer in silence for years before |
| both of these subtypes of ADHD,but those are the | | | | they find out the real cause oftheir troubles. |
| distinguishing features of both. | | | | With both ADHD and ADD, diagnosis early is very |
| For many years, the typical picture of Attention Deficit | | | | important. |
| Disorder hasbeen the little boy that is bouncing off the | | | | Although problems with academics is the most obvious |
| walls and driving histeachers and parents crazy. ADHD | | | | symptom, somesufferers do not have significant |
| is by far the most diagnosed ofthe two subtypes | | | | issues with getting school workdone. Keep track of |
| because it is so much more visible than ADD. | | | | your children, not just academically, butsocially and |
| Sincehyperactivity creates a lot more distraction and | | | | emotionally as well. Do they have trouble with |
| problems forclassrooms, it gets the most attention and | | | | otherchildren? Does it seem as if they have trouble |
| will be picked up on a lotfaster. Unfortunately, even | | | | organizing or areexcessively messy? Do they have |
| though ADD is less invisible, the resultsof the disorder | | | | trouble sitting still for a period oftime? Are they |
| can just as destructive. | | | | excessively quiet or excessively talkative? Now any |
| With inattentive attention deficit disorder, or ADD, the | | | | ofthese symptoms do not specifically signify ADD or |
| personsuffering from it will seem spacey and | | | | ADHD, but they dopoint to asking for outside help from |
| disorganized. Most often,sufferers with this type will be | | | | a counselor or therapist. Yourchild's psychological |
| staring out the window during classesand will appear | | | | health is just as important as their physicalhealth and |
| as if they are never quite present. It is muchmore | | | | how they do in school. Check it out if you feel |
| difficult to diagnose and many people with this form of | | | | likesomething is off. If left for years undiagnosed, ADD |
| ADD goyears without even knowing they have it. But | | | | can causelots of other secondary problems that can |
| the results of thewandering mind can be just as | | | | take a long time to undo andcan be prevented. |