By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – February 3, 2025
Much has been written about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Some of it is consistent; other things are confusing. Today, I’d like to clarify a few things.
The Classifications of ADD
To begin, is it Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or is it just Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)? That is a great question because the terms are used interchangeably.
Technically, there are three different classifications of ADHD/ADD:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Inattentive (i.e., without the hyperactivity component)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Combined (i.e., a combination of hyperactive and inattentive)
Each form is defined by the presence of specific symptoms. Those with ADHD tend to stand out more due to the excess level of energy. That’s why many just use the term ADHD. On the other hand, ADD Inattentive does not have the hyperactivity component and is referred to just as ADD. The term “Attention Deficit Disorder” (ADD) is more of an umbrella or generic term. The classification should be used to bring more specificity, like ADD Inattentive or ADD Combined.
What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?
In my opinion, the best description of Attention Deficit Disorder is by Paul H. Wender, a renowned ADD researcher and author of several books on the subject, including ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adults. His description is as follows:
“ADD is a genetic, neurological difficulty of engagement with life activities on demand in which an individual’s performance, mood, and energy level are solely determined by that individual’s momentary sense of interest, challenge, novelty, and sometimes urgency.”
To really understand and interpret the true meaning, let’s break down his description from my perspective as a coach:
- Genetic: ADD is something you’re born with, and ADD traits are not something you outgrow.
- Neurological: ADD is a brain-based trait, not a character flaw.
- Difficulties of Engagement: ADDers are frequently engaged at an extreme. Their engagement is all consuming, and they either hyperfocus or are unable to start or sustain focus on important but boring tasks/projects.
- Life Activities: These common activities (or the view of activities) are believed to be required or important by mainstream society.
- Performance, Mood, and Energy Level: These factors are dependent upon individual interest and challenge.
- Momentary: This term refers to spontaneous or in-the-moment motivation that is not planned but is dependent on a variety of unconscious interest-based circumstances that are often seen as random.
- Interest, Challenge, Novelty, and (Sometimes) Urgency: Motivation is correlated to the levels and the combination of:
- How interested or intrigued the ADDer is by what he or she is doing;
- What is challenging and/or competitive;
- Whether the path is novel; or
- Whether the urgency is caused by a deadline or crisis.
Many have described ADD as an ADRENALINE-driven disorder. I describe ADD a little differently. To me, ADD is an INTEREST-driven TRAIT, not a disorder. So, I see ADDers as INTEREST-based performers and non-ADDers as IMPORTANCE-based performers.
I use the words “interest” and “traits” because I believe they more accurately represent ADD. “Interest” to me is about brain stimulation. Instinctively, ADDers pay attention to what they are INTERESTED in or what stimulates the brain, such as adrenaline, interest, passion, and emotion. “Traits” are characteristics of what makes people different. From my perspective, an ADDer’s brain is wired differently, and these differences in brain wiring are characterized as unique traits.
While it is easy to understand that an ADDer has a uniquely wired brain, what most don’t realize is that there is a wide variety of ADD, depending on the combination of symptoms, intensity, and presence of other conditions. As a result, it is important not to generalize and assume one person’s ADD is the same as another’s. It’s been said, “When you’ve seen a person with ADD, you’ve seen one person with ADD.”
If you have thoughts about this topic, please post them below. Thanks for your time.