Some people refer interchangeably to ADD and ADHD, but the former term is outdated, and the latter has been adopted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as the term to describe the condition.ADHD is a mental health disorder that can cause above-normal levels of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, and it makes it difficult to focus attention on a single task or sit still for extended periods.
There are three types of ADHD, namely:
- Inattentive, where a person has symptoms of inattention, but they are not hyperactive or impulsive. Inattentive ADHD is what is usually meant by the term ADD.
- Hyperactive/impulsive, where a person is hyperactive and impulsive but is not inattentive
- Combined, which is when a person has both the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, as well as inattention.
ADHD can negatively affect all areas of life such as work performance and relationships, as the person may miss work deadlines or neglect social obligations.