Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) vs. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (Essay Sample)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Vs. Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
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1.0 Introduction
Psychological anomaly is a branch of psychology that focuses on new ways of understanding and helping people with psychological disorder. Behaviors are considered abnormal when the reaction of a person or rather their emotional state at a particular moment does not relate to the situation or events taking place at the moment. The study of abnormal behaviors and psychology has changed over time lending to the development of new knowledge and theories. One of such studies includes the study of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder (Jeffrey, Rathus, & Beverly, 2008, p. 57). These studies have led to the discovery of various types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the effect they have on people suffering from the disease. Moreover, it has led to the discovery of different therapies that can be performed to cure the disease.
Yallop, Brownell, Bailis and Lebow (2015) argued that attention disorder is a type of externalizing disorders (p. 433). In the world today, almost everyone is familiar with this type of disorder and is aware of at least one or two people who suffer from the disorder. This disorder is more common in children than in adults. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. However, these symptoms may take different forms in different people. In most cases, the inability to concentrate in adults begins during childhood and develops within a person to their adult life. This condition causes people not to concentrate as well as to stay still. However, despite the fact that ADHD and ADD are the most widely studied disorder in the recent past, the condition remains controversial. Most studies and hypothesis still do not converge over the diagnosis, etiology and treatment of these problematic characteristics.
2.0 Background
According to Solé, Pérez, Romeo and Supèr (2015), the inability to attain the required concentration was initially called attention deficit disorder (p. 9). In most cases, this condition is misdiagnosed, undertreated and even in some cases mistreated. People suffering from this disorder have a wide range of signs and symptoms. According to a new study by Solé, these symptoms can be summarized into three main categories. They include the inability to pay attention, increased activity rate and impulsivity (Psychiatry, 2002). Most of these symptoms are common in children especially those in their early childhood development. However, it is not in order to conclude that a child has ADHD just because he or she expressed on or two of the symptoms. This is because these symptoms are not physical, but emotional and behavioral; they are prone to misdiagnosis and misjudgment. It is thus essential that a child undergo through a complete professional diagnosis procedure before being declared suffering from Attention deficit hyperactive (Northover, Thapar & Van, 2015, p. 7). However, despite Attention deficit disorder (ADD) being renamed as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); the two terms represent and refer to two different conditions. These conditions are related and share a wide range of symptoms.
3.0 Objective
The main objective is to compare and contrast Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Attention deficit disorder (ADD). Moreover, we shall also establish whether empirical evidence accurately identifies the existence of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Attention deficit disorder (ADD). We shall critically analyze the similarities and differences between Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Attention deficit disorder (ADD).
In both cases, there is inability to attain the required level of concentration. This recently discovered condition exists in children and adults. The condition is common among young children and hence might be difficult to diagnose. The inability to attain the required level of concentration is expressed differently among victims. This evidence means that there are various types of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mörstedt, Corbisiero, Bitto and Stieglitz (2015) noted that the inability to attain the required level of concentration occurs in both adult and children (p. 6). Moreover, in both cases, people suffering from the disorder are unable to attain the required concentration. There are many various types of this condition. They include:
Abnormal overactive condition
impulsivity
Inability to pay attention where needed.
Overactive and inability to pay attention.
3.0.1 Abnormally overactive condition
Di Nicola, Sala, Dubertret and Gorwood (2014) take the stance that Abnormal overactive condition portrays symptoms shows key characteristic of ADHD (p.394). Children suffering from this condition find it difficult to remain calm. The key characteristic that expresses hyperactivity in children is the continuous and uncontrolled motility and inability to remain calm or rather still (Association, 2008). Abnormal overactive condition is the easiest and the most recognized symptom in the diagnosis of ADHD. Children with a hyperactive form of abnormal overactive condition become easily to diagnose because the condition does not enable them to follow the rules and regulations. Children with ADHD are always on the move or even have unregulated motion or activities irrespective of the environment. Teenagers with ADHD also show more hyperactivity and restlessness than their peers (National Institutes of Health, 2004). Moreover, ADHD does no end or subside with age, but remains in the body of a person until to their adulthood (Association, 2008). In adults, the condition is not expressed through abnormal activities, but remains in the body. In some cases, the disorder might subject the victim to overreaction. Adults with ADHD tend to be busy and at some point might carry out more than one activity at a time. They also find it difficult to remain still and concentrate on a given task.
3.0.2 Impulsivity
Impulsive children find it difficult or rather are unable to think of carrying out a task. In most cases, they end up messing up. Impulsive children are impatient and tend to force things to work their way (Psychiatry, 2002). Teenagers and adults tend to be hot tempered, and when angered, they react by destroying or hitting anything around them. They prefer shortcuts and do not mind the cost or the consequences of using them. Children with an impulsive form of abnormal overactive and inability to pay attention disorder tend to force their way into and out of a situation. Most people with this condition are either hyperactive or impulsive or both. A combined condition where a child is abnormally overactive and has difficulty in paying attention can be a serious case because the children may engage in activities that may end up hurting them or even people around them. The signs associated with hyperactive and impulsivity includes:
Victims feel restless and are always moving their hand and feet or at some instances swinging their sits.
Running and always on the movement. Mostly, they tend to defy rules in case the rules expect them to keep calm. For example, in a case where a person is in an environment where they are expected to keep calm and seated, they tend to leave the room and walk or even run.
Children and adults tend to shout and give out answers without following the set procedure or even before comprehending the question.
People suffering from hyperactivity and impulsive disorder are impatient and find it hard to wait for service or even to stand in a queue and wait for their turn.
Impulsive and hyperactive forms of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more common and in most instances easy to diagnose. As it is evident from the discussion, abnormal overactive condition is characterized by the inability to manage activities, stay patient and to pause, think and act. On the other hand, ADD is directly opposite of ADHD. However, ADD is mainly expressed in one form (National Institutes of Health, 2004). People suffering from ADD mainly show signs of inattentiveness. Inattentiveness is a symptom where a child or a person finds it difficult to mass up or even sustain expected attention especially if he or she is not interested in a given task (Association, 2008). They tend to be slow and resistant to distraction especially if they are working on a task they like or rather if the task is appealing to them. In most cases, they lack the motivation and the will power to participate in activities that their peers find interesting and appealing. They may commence on a task, but easily and quickly get bored and hence end up underperforming. Das (2015) hold the view that inattentive form of Attention deficit disorder (ADD) causes inability to pay attention. People suffering from this disorder find it hard to work without supervision or even to stay on a given task if there is no one to inspect them. Major signs that are depicted by (ADD) include:
Victims are easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds.
They are ever making careless mistakes caused by lack of attention.
They find it hard to follow instructions as well as stay within rules and guidelines.
In most cases, people with inattentiveness disorder find it difficult to complete a task and take on to another. Consequently, they find themselves skipping from one incomplete task to another.
They are quiet and always daydreaming. They are always distracted from the environment around them.
ADD can be displayed as a single symptom of inattentiveness or may be a combination of impulsiveness and inattentiveness. However, it is very rare for that combination to happen. When comparing the two types...