Reddit reviews Attention Difference Disorder: How to Turn Your ADHD Child or Teen's Differences into Strengths in 7 Simple Steps

2. What’s the distinction between ADD and ADHD? Which one do I have?

“ADD”, Attention Deficit Disorder, is the label given in the DSM III to the non-hyperative/impulsive variant of ADHD. When the DSM IV was published in 1994, the ADD label had been discarded, and presented three subtypes of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive, (you have poor attention but you’re not very hyperactive,) Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive, (you’re hyperactive and/or impulsive but don’t have as many problems with attention) or Combined type, (you’ve got it all!). The term “ADD” is now technically defunct, but it continues to be used in the media and by the general public out of habit, ignorance, and probably a desire to cut out one syllable.

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3. My friend gave me some Adderall to try and it made an incredible difference! Does this mean I have ADHD?

No. You might have ADHD, but this is not a good way to tell. ADHD medication will affect most people very similarly to drinking a few cups of coffee. Again, the only official way to tell that you have ADHD is to be diagnosed by a doctor. If don’t have access to a doctor, an honest and objective self-analysis, using the DSM IV’s criteria is the most effective self-test you can administer. Additionally, get someone who knows you very well, preferably since your early childhood, to evaluate you using the same criteria, since you may not be aware of or remember your own behaviors.


4. I’m pretty sure I have ADHD. How do I get diagnosed?

For all intents and purposes, you can and should get diagnosed by a psychiatrist, your family doctor, or a psychologist. The latter cannot prescribe medication, but is cheaper than some other options. Neurologists can also diagnose you, but are expensive and probably unnecessary to seek out. Therapists, social workers and the rest can offer an informed opinion but will refer you to a doctor for an official diagnosis.

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5. My family won’t accept that I may have ADHD, thinks ADHD is a big scam, won’t pay for my medication, etc. What should I do?

I encourage you to post on the boards about it if you’re in a situation like this, but here is the preliminary advice I’d give to everyone to start: most importantly, if you haven’t actually talked to your family yet because you’re afraid to, it’s probably best that you try. Sometimes your stuffy old parents may surprise you. Secondly, if you’ve tried but are met with stubbornness, you’re going to have to take it upon yourself to help educate yourself and your family about this disorder. Make sure you all know the important facts, such as the point that ADHD is a genetic problem; this is the position agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of the medical community. It is listed in the DSM IV and has strict criteria for diagnosis. Having ADHD says nothing about your intelligence, except that people who have ADHD statistically trend towards being more intelligent than those who don’t. The often-encountered statement, “you’re too smart to have ADHD” is insufferably ignorant.


6. What are my alternatives to traditional medication?

Dr. Kenny Handelman gives a pretty satisfactory summary of the alternatives to proper medication in his book, Attention Difference Disorder. To be clear, the predominant view of this subreddit is that the most effective way to treat ADHD is by following the procedures of the medical community. Almost all “alternative” treatments remain absent from doctors’ lists of recommendations because their efficacy is not supported by evidence that meets scientific standards. Typically there’s no harm in trying them anyway in addition to your doctor-prescribed meds, (but always ask your doctor to be sure), but I strongly oppose recommending such treatments in leiu of regular medication.


7. What side-effects do people experience from these medications?

The wikipedia articles for each drug have comprehensive lists of side-effects.


8. What medication should I try?
More on this coming at a later date.


9. Does anyone else feel this way?

Whatever would stand in for “this” in your question, the answer is probably yes. More coming later.


10. Got any more tips for me?

Yes. Check out our big list of resources and recommended reading!

(If such a thing doesn't exist yet, it's on the way!)