Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also commonly called ADHD, is a condition that affects children and adults and is characterized by hyperactive, overactive, or impulsive behavior. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also tend to have difficulty concentrating or completing tasks.

The answer to the question what is ADD and ADHD is the same, as attention deficit disorder is the same as attention hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is the current label most commonly used, and ADD is fading from common use.

ADHD affects between 5 to 8 percent of school-aged children and about 2 to 4 percent of adults. Health professionals recognize three subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. For example, some children exhibit much more of the hyperactive symptoms, while other mainly struggle with inattention. Still others have a combination of both of these major components of ADHD.

Individuals with what is ADD and ADHD might exhibit symptoms such as slow cognitive thinking, daydreaming, mental confusion, poor memory retrieval, racing thoughts, anxiety, craving excitement or stimulation, socially inappropriate behavior, poor time management, or difficulty understanding abstract concepts.

The exact cause of ADHD is not known, however, it is linked to genetics, and research is finding genetic markers that might make a person more susceptible to ADHD. Nutrition and brain injuries have also been linked to ADHD.

Signs of what is ADD and ADHD are evident typically before the age of 7 in children, and it can be difficult to decide what is normal child behavior and what is ADD and ADHD. Not all children show all of the symptoms listed earlier, but when some symptoms are present in many situations, such as at home, school, and in the community, it might be cause for bringing your child’s behavior to a professional.