Difference Between ADD and ADHD

In a recent discussing concerning attention deficit hyperactivity disorder I was sternly corrected by a young women as to my use of ADHD to describe attention deficit disorder (ADD). She pointed out that women don’t have hyperactivity, thus my use of ADHD was incorrect and that I should take some time to better understand the condition. I simply nodded and went on with my conversation. But was the young woman right or wrong in her assumption?
 
The short answer is wrong but to fully understand as to why we need to briefly explore the condition itself and its origins.
 
Conditions similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been recognized since the turn of the century. But it wasn’t until 1980 that the term attention deficit entered into our medical vocabulary. This term was defined as attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. For many years the term stuck partly due to the prevailing wisdom that hyperactivity was more of an abnormally rather than a primary symptom.
 
As years passed research revealed that indeed hyperactivity was a major concern and thus both ADD and ADHD were used. Today the term ADD has evolved into a single term ADHD (AD/HD). So ADD and ADHD (AD/HD) are one in the same according to the American Psychiatric Association.
 
Up until recently there were some demographics thought not to have hyperactivity; specifically women. The story of women and ADHD is one that is constantly evolving. Not so many years ago only one in 10 cases were thought to involve women, today that incidence has tripled and likely will continue to grow as more research is conducted. Additionally women were thought not to be victimized by hyperactivity but it turns out that hyperactivity is not stranger to women; it only presents itself in different ways. An example would be that a woman would tend to talk endlessly whereas a man would be more inclined to act like he has ants in his pants.
 
In summary, ADD is an old outdated term that has very little relevance in today’s medical lexicon. Sure, it is possible to have attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity but more and more men, women, and children are diagnosed with it than without it.
 
The most common type of treatment for ADHD is prescription stimulant medications. They can be very effective if the correct medication is combined with the proper dosage. While this is good news, they aren’t without their share of side effects. For this reason many natural health minded individuals are choosing to give alternative remedies for ADHD a try. These all natural formulas are very safe and have shown to be effective across a broad age and gender demographic, and are option worth considering.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about homeopathic natural health visit Purchase Remedies.com

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