January 16th, 2026
If you were to imagine a person with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), what image comes to mind? Take a moment and try to picture it.
Most people picture someone who is easily distracted, disorganized, and always fidgeting or moving around. People are also more likely to imagine a male child or adolescent, because boys are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. [1]
Chances are, you pictured the male “class clown” who always forgets his homework--not a quiet, well-behaved female student constantly daydreaming at the back of the room.
Would it surprise you to know that both individuals could have the same underlying neurological condition? Historically, the "quiet" version of ADHD was called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), while the "active" version was called ADHD.
Today, ADD is considered an outdated term that has been officially replaced by a single, broader diagnosis, ADHD. Keep reading to learn why the name changed, how ADHD presents differently, and why you may occasionally still hear the outdated term “ADD”.
Before we dive into ADD, let’s quickly take a look at what ADHD or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is categorized by a pattern of the following types of symptoms:
There are three recognized ADHD types in the DSM-5:
Remember the earlier examples of the students with ADHD? The male student was displaying ADHD (hyperactive-impulsive type) symptoms, while the female student was experiencing ADHD (inattentive type) symptoms, or what was formally known as ADD.
Like we mentioned, ADD is an outdated term, regardless, I'm sure we have all heard it at least once before. Although you may still hear the term "ADD" used in a casual conversation between friends, it hasn't been an official medical diagnosis since 1987. [3]
The first known references of ADHD date all the way back in 460 BC by Hippocrates (also known as the father of modern medicine), who documented patients showing signs of what we now know to be ADHD.
Around the 1800s, doctors started to seriously recognize ADHD, this was around the time the condition started being published in medical textbooks as “nervous child”, “mental instability”, and “simple hyperexcitability” among many other names.
By the early 1900s the condition was casually labeled "Defective moral control" by doctor Sir George Still. In 1968 the first formal inclusion of ADHD was mentioned in the second edition of the DSM as “Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood”. As you can see, the name for ADHD has fluctuated quite a bit over time!
In the 1970s, doctors stopped focusing only on how much a child moved around (hyperactivity) and started paying more attention to how much they struggled to stay focused (attention deficit).
In the 1980s, the third edition of the DSM was published. In this edition, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) called this mental health disorder “ADD” or attention deficit disorder.
They determined that ADD could either be with or without hyperactivity symptoms. In 1987, doctors decided to change the name ADD to ADHD and removed the idea that there were two main subtypes. They also merged the separate lists of symptoms into one.
In 1994, there was another revision made to the next edition of the DSM. Here the American Psychiatric Association determined there are three types of ADHD:
It was around this time that researchers also discovered ADHD is not something exclusively seen in children, but that the condition can follow people into adulthood.
Now that we’ve touched on the history of how the term ADD came to be, let’s clear up any confusion that may still exist about the topic. Essentially, the term “ADD” or attention deficit disorder, is no longer used by clinicians, and it has since been replaced by “ADHD, predominantly inattentive type.
This means a person who was diagnosed with ADD back in the day, would now be diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive type, one of the three subtypes of ADHD.
The term “ADD” is nonexistent in the latest version of the DSM. The main feature that was separating an ADD diagnosis from an ADHD diagnosis before was inattention, or the inability to focus, which is an internalizing issue. That means that others cannot always observe this from an outside perspective.
However, doctors realized that even if a person isn't physically "hyperactive," the underlying cause of the condition is the same. Simply put, the medical community grouped everything under one umbrella: ADHD.
Instead of choosing between ADD and ADHD, a specialist will determine which of the following three ADHD types fits you or your child best:
ADHD is characterized by a range of symptoms that affect an individual's ability to focus, control impulses, and regulate activity levels. These ADHD symptoms are typically categorized into two main types: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Symptoms of Inattention ADHD (Previously Known as ADD)
Symptoms of Hyperactivity-Impulsivity ADHD
Symptoms of Combined Type ADHD
Any type of ADHD that goes untreated can be extremely difficult to manage. For people with ADHD hyperactive impulsive type or ADHD inattentive type (previously known as ADD), feelings of irritability, shame, and frustration are common. They may wonder “why is it hard for me to do things that should be easy?” Problems with daily tasks often lead to feelings of failure.
People with ADHD in general may also experience difficulties with friendships and relationships, because others may get annoyed or frustrated with their behaviors. A friend, coworker, or partner may be frustrated with their inability to follow through with tasks, remember commitments, or inability to take care of responsibilities.
The stigma surrounding ADHD makes it more likely for these people to be negatively judged by others. Stigma is also a barrier to healthcare, education, career opportunities, and mental health treatment.
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD is more likely to result in external consequences due to poor decision-making and impulsive behaviors. Hyperactivity and impulsivity make it more likely (but NOT guaranteed) that an individual will engage in delinquent, aggressive, or antisocial behavior.
On the other hand, inattentive ADHD has been shown to take a greater toll on women than men due to the likelihood of misdiagnosis. Girls and women, who are more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD, are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. [5]
Since inattentive symptoms can at times be invisible to everyone except the person experiencing them, they may not ask for help or even realize that they need ADHD treatment.
For example, we may notice when someone is looking out the window while we are speaking to them, they might not be listening to us. However, a person with ADHD inattentive type could be looking directly at the speaker, but they may not retain any information because they are distracted by their own thoughts.
Fortunately, ADHD symptoms (no matter the type) can improve with treatment. ADHD treatment typically includes a combination of talk therapy and medication. It is important to note that ADHD can only be officially diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.
Feel free to take our online ADHD test! While it is not a diagnosis, it can help provide valuable clarity on whether a clinical consultation is the right next step for you.
At Clarity Clinic, we are proud experts in ADHD testing and treatment, offering comprehensive therapy and psychiatry services throughout the Chicago area. We recognize that ADHD looks different in everyone.
Our specialists are experts in identifying symptoms in both men and women, from early childhood through adulthood, ensuring every patient receives a tailored treatment plan.
If you or your child is struggling with focus, executive function, or emotional regulation, you don't have to navigate these challenges alone. Early intervention is key to long-term success.
Our Convenient Locations: We offer in-person care at our clinics located throughout the Chicagoland area, as well as flexible online appointments:
Contact us today at (312) 815-9660 or click the button below to schedule a comprehensive ADHD consultation and take the first step toward a more balanced, productive life.
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References:
[1] Attoe, D. E., & Climie, E. A. (2023). Miss. Diagnosis: A systematic review of ADHD in adult women. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(7), 645–657. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231161533
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
[3] Lange, K. W., Reichl, S., Lange, K. M., Tucha, L., & Tucha, O. (2010). The history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 2(4), 241–255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-010-0045-8
[4] ADDA Editorial Team. (2024, September 6). ADHD combined type: A common and treatable diagnosis. Attention Deficit Disorder Association. https://add.org/adhd-combined-type/
[5] Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 16(3), PCC.13r01596. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.13r01596
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