ADHD and ADD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour, and can make it difficult for a person to concentrate. Most people that have ADHD will have symptoms that fall into 2 categories: inattentiveness and hyperactivity; and impulsiveness. However, someone with ADD is likely to only have symtoms that fall into inattentiveness, but not hyperactivity or impulsiveness. ADD is a form of ADHD.
Some examples of symptoms relating to inattentiveness: having a short attention span and being easily distracted; making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork; appearing forgetful or losing things.
Some examples of symptoms relating to hyperactivity and impulsiveness: being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings; constantly fidgeting; being unable to concentrate on tasks.
The causes of ADHD and ADD are still relatively unknown, but the condition has been linked to:
- Being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy).
- Having a low birthweight.
- Smoking or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy.
Although there's no cure for these conditions, please do be assured that they can be managed with appropriate advice and support for parents and affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary.
We're inviting members of our community to share their stories as well as ways to cope.
@JessHobson
Hey didn't even know this support plus forum existed.
@jovialButterfly6752 we're only just getting off the ground to be fair! Welcome in :)
@JessHobson Happy to be here!
Would be great to see the neurodiversity perspctive in this forum too : )
I’m sorry, but prematurity, birthweight and alcohol/drug misuse are recognised as exacerbating factors, that is, they can make the disorder worse… but it is widely recognised and agreed academically that ADHD is genetic. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/
Yes @bigmac73 I agree with you.
I have confirmed that my mother didn't smoke during pregnancy, never touches alcohol let alone drug abuse.
I wasn't born prematurely nor born with low birthweight.
@bigmac73 Right on, I appreciate that you added this important fact there. 
To Echo @ouiCherie...
I'm adopted, which makes obtaining the details a bit more difficult... BUT after having reconnected with my biological mother, aligning our narratives as best we can, and comparing our medical histories, it would indeed support the data supported theory that ADHD would be a genetically acquired condition (pretty sure she has it, I have it, and my son has it). Interestingly, and I don't know if anyone else would care to even volunteer these kinds of details... but I haven't really noticed my symptoms being exacerbated by alcohol, smoking, or "drug" usage... unless we are talking therapeutic medications.... which I'm still trying to find a prescriber to get started on something...
Oh, Shoot! I forgot (surprise!) to @bigmac73 too, the original poster of the NCBI article. Thanks team for the contributions!
@PensivePrizz86 great points there. Thank you for sharing.
I suppose, like any other science, the findings will continue until something even more accurate found.
If it means alcohol and drugs will increase the risk of comorbidities, that would be another story.
Just as the name "attention deficit" I would prefer it's "selective attention". It's not like I go blank whenever I zone out. Nor do I daydream. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most ADHDers don't daydream, we're thinking of something else.
Correlation is not causation. Genes can directly cause you to develop ADHD. But there are also associated risk factors: i.e. if you have 1 thing there might be a greater chance of having another (like ADHD).
I like Attention dysregulation or Attention inconsistency.
Regarding what you said about day dreaming... there is a spectrum of different types of thought ( I forgot the exact name of this concept I'm referring to but will sift through research and get back to you). Day dreaming and mind wandering are on that spectrum. :)
Note: I in no way claim to be an expert and as I'm in my listener role now, I would say that there definitely is research you can explore from reliable and valid sources like peer reviewed journal articles to better understand ADHD :)
@jovialButterfly6752 Is it Maladaptive Daydreaming?
That's yet to be clarified what it is, right?
No that’s not what I’m referring to but maladaptive daydreaming is another phenomenon altogether. I don’t know too much about it! Not sure if there is a lot of research
@PensivePrizz86
hey there! I've studied about this. There is very strong evidence for a sizeable genetic contribution to developing ADHD. Pretty sure my Dad has it although I'm the only one with a formal diagnosis. And my other family members have official diagnoses of OCD, OCPD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar... If not ADHD, mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions tend to run in families. There are some shared genes between different neuropsychiatric conditions too! :)
I hope you find that prescriber <3
Note: I in no way claim to be an expert and as I'm in my listener role now, I would say that there definitely is research you can explore from reliable and valid sources like peer reviewed journal articles to better understand ADHD :)
It's is very interesting to learn that there is more than one type of ADHD that a person can have. I think most people would assume there was just one type, although there being multiple types actually makes a lot of sense.
@resourcefulPond1641 Hello Pond!, It's all lumped under the umbrella term ADHD with the subtypes of inattentive, hyperactive or combined type. The term ADD is no longer clinically used, as far as I'm aware, since most people who have the disorder can range through types depending on mood or environment. so sometimes I'm hyperactive, sometimes I'm a space cadet. It kind of depends on whats happening. Some people lean heavier into either/or subtype. Depends on the person. I appreciate your interest its nice to see people intrigued to learn about ADHD
Hello, there, I have been suffering from Adult ADHD.
I have been recently diagnosed with it.
In short, it is horrendous.
@rosebeinghappy18
I'm so sorry to hear you feel that way. I love my ADHD brain but your feelings are valid too ❤️ Either ways, we're here to support you!
@jovialButterfly6752
Actually, my family is not at all supportive and unfortunately, I am stuck with them, so, yeah, that's why I find it horrendous.
@rosebeinghappy18 Hello Rose :) My name is Kitty and i also have ADHD, i understand it can be really tough sometimes, if you ever want to talk about it with a like minded being I'm always here for you :)
Thank you Kitty for being here. Yes, life is tough with ADHD.
Sorry to just bust in here as a newb... but are there group therapy or similar options for us on here?
@gbsby Hey so sorry! Just saw this. You're not busting in! ❤️ 7 Cups doesn't offer group therapy but there are paid options for therapy which I can share if you're interested?
These lectures explained my ADHD and Executive Functioning disorder!
Part 1: https://youtu.be/NUQu-OPrzUc
Part 2: https://youtu.be/QZpF2_IelWo
Part 3: https://youtu.be/o_hHNTDdgIU
Hi i wanted to let you know that some of the information in this post is outdated or undeveloped and i don't mean to sound harsh but i feel as though it could be harmful to spread misinformation. As someone with ADHD i feel like its important we keep talking about it but i think its just as important that it be accurate information that we choose to share.
@SleepyKitty96
I'm a fellow ADHDer like you
@CheeryMango might be able to help ☺️
Happy to have found this place. I look forward to engaging more.
I have ADD and life is real struggle sometimes.