What is ADHD and ADD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that involves difficulty concentrating and/or regulating one’s activity level and inhibiting one’s impulses. ADD is a variant of ADHD, without the hyperactivity.

What is ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that involves difficulty concentrating and/or regulating one’s activity level and inhibiting one’s impulses. ADHD has a neurobiological basis and affects the way the brain processes information and regulates behavior. ADHD often occurs together with other developmental or psychiatric conditions.

What is ADD

ADD is a variant of ADHD, without the hyperactivity. Those with ADD are often easily distracted and lose attention, but they are not hyperactive. Instead, they may have difficulty getting started with activities.

ADHD diagnosis

It is usually difficult to conclude that a child has ADHD before the age of four. However, the symptoms must have appeared before the age of 12. To make a diagnosis, a comprehensive assessment by a team of doctors, psychologists and other professionals is required.

Treatment of ADHD/ADD

Currently, the most common and scientifically substantiated treatment for ADHD is central stimulants or other medication in combination with various forms of psychosocial or behavioral interventions. The goal of the psychosocial and behavioral interventions is partly to educate parents and other important people in the child’s environment and partly to train the child in various things. The goal of medication is to relieve the symptoms that interfere with function and development. Support and aids can be of great benefit. Special educational interventions are often necessary in school.

Research ADHD/ADD

A long series of studies have shown abnormalities in brain activity in specific areas in people with ADHD. More recent research, including using various brain imaging techniques, also strongly suggests that many of the symptoms of ADHD are related to communication between different parts of the brain. Studies have shown that ADHD has a strong hereditary component, but various environmental factors also play a role. Despite the strong hereditary component, the search for specific ADHD genes has not yet yielded any answers. Among the environmental factors, low birth weight has been highlighted as a risk factor, as well as exposure to environmental toxins, infections or alcohol during pregnancy.

Did you know that:

• ADHD has a neurobiological basis and affects the way the brain processes information and regulates behavior.
• ADD is a variant of ADHD, without the hyperactivity.
• ADHD is characterized by difficulties with attention, impulse control and hyperactivity. The symptoms can occur individually or in combination with each other.
• ADHD occurs in approximately four percent of children and two to four percent of adults, making it the most common developmental disability.
• Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls.

Source: Hjärnfonden