ADD or ADHD: what is the difference between these two terms?
ADD and ADHD are two terms frequently confused or used interchangeably. Yet they describe distinct clinical presentations of the same neurodevelopmental disorder. Understanding their difference is essential for correctly guiding diagnosis and support.
ADHD: the general term that covers everything
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is the official term in international medical classifications DSM-5 and ICD-11 that refers to the disorder as a whole. It covers all presentations, whether or not there is a component of motor hyperactivity. In this sense ADHD is the umbrella term under which all forms of the disorder fall.
ADD: the form without hyperactivity
ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, refers in everyday language to the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD, that is, the form in which motor hyperactivity is absent or very slight. A child with ADD is often described as being in a world of their own, dreamy, easily distracted, forgetful, and slow to start tasks: but they are not physically restless. Their disorder is less visible than that of a child with ADHD and hyperactivity, which is why it is often diagnosed later.
The clinical differences between the two presentations
In ADHD with hyperactivity, the child is physically restless: they often get up, move constantly, talk without stopping, find it hard to wait their turn and act before thinking. These behaviours are immediately visible in class and quickly alert teachers. In ADD without hyperactivity, the child is rather quiet and may go unnoticed in class because they do not disrupt, but they do not keep up with lessons either. Their difficulties are internal: wandering thoughts, difficulty getting started on a task, constant forgetfulness.
Who most often presents with ADD?
The predominantly inattentive presentation, ADD, is more common in girls than in boys. This is one of the reasons why ADHD has historically been considered a male disorder: boys more often present with the highly visible hyperactive form, while girls more often present with the inattentive form, which slips under the radar. This diagnostic bias has important consequences, as girls with ADD are often diagnosed much later than boys with ADHD.
Similar support, sometimes different strategies
ADD and ADHD receive broadly similar support: medical follow-up, school adjustments, compensation strategies. However, some specific strategies are tailored to each presentation. For ADD without hyperactivity, the emphasis is on strategies to stimulate attention and organisation. For ADHD with hyperactivity, the emphasis also falls on managing restlessness and impulsivity. For comprehensive resources on ADHD and its presentations, lesdys.fr offers accessible guides for families.
