ADD vs ADHD

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I do not understand the difference. Never have. ADD kids can certainly be hyper so can anyone enlighten me?

ADD, can't focus. ADHD, can't focus plus hyperactivity. A simple generalization, but it's right there in the names. But I'm sure that someone who knows more about ADD and ADHD than me will be along shortly to explain why I'm wrong.

LOL

A much needed chuckle.

It is more complicated than that. There are several threads with similar names that discuss this very subject. I have had AS symptoms since I was a child, including dyspraxia, hyperlexia severe sensory issues and mild speech delay...I also had self care issues....ummm....I have severe ADD symptoms..where I pass for having more than one kind of ADD..I am treated for ADD, and am now on 3 different medications....I also have been assessed as having AS..another doctor wrote down PDD-NOS..

I cannot focus on things that dont keep my interest and overly focus on things that do.

I'm diagnosed with ADD-Primarily Inattentive, although the diagnostic process was just a few questions. I've never had a hyperactive moment in my life. I'm sluggish. Meds help but don't fix the problem.

ADD is no longer an official diagnoses, it is all bundled under ADHD with different sub-types (aka ADHD-Innatentive type, ADHD-Hyperative type, etc.)

Now THIS makes sense to me. Thanks for the response.

But hyperactivity doesn't always come with ADD...that is why I omit the H

I agree, but I'm told by a professional that ADHD is the official term for all and then you have the subsets. I say ADD too and most people aren't aware that they're using ADHD as a blanket term anyway. If I tell people I'm ADHD and they look at my sluggish self, they tend to think I'm full of it.

Here is a nice, concise chart.

Thanks, that is very concise. I'm not sure what drug is best for me. I took Ritalin and Concerta until I developed severe facial tics. They don't want to put me on any stimulant now because of that. I take Strattera now. All of it helps but in no way solves the problem. A few days ago I felt really out of it and weird all day and then realized I had not taken my Strattera. It could have been withdrawal symptoms though.
The only thing that doesn't fit me on the ADD side is I am quite averse to risk taking behavior.