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• attention deficit disorder
  attention deficit disorder

  noun

  ADD.
• Attention Deficit Disorder
  Attention Deficit Disorder

  A disorder characterized by a difficulty in retaining focus, especially on tasks, for long periods of time.

attention deficit disorder

American  

[uh-ten-shuhn def-uh-sit dis-awr-der] / əˈtɛn ʃən ˈdɛf ə sɪt dɪsˌɔr dər /

noun

1. ADD.

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attention deficit disorder British  

noun

1.  ADD.  a disorder, particularly of children, characterized by excessive activity and inability to concentrate on one task for any length of time

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Attention Deficit Disorder Cultural  

1. A disorder characterized by a difficulty in retaining focus, especially on tasks, for long periods of time.

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One of the most common reasons children are brought into therapy, ADD is often treated with the somewhat controversial drug Ritalin®, which is thought to work by stimulating the attention-focusing structures of the brain.

Etymology

Origin of attention deficit disorder

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

attention deficit disorder Attention Deficit Disorder

In her early teens, her parents say, she began showing signs of borderline personality disorder, attention deficit disorder and depression.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025

There remains no settled science on a causal link between Tylenol and autism or attention deficit disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025

Figures were also far higher for pupils with additional learning needs, including those with attention deficit disorder.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2024

Emma, an 18-year-old aspiring artist in Georgia with attention deficit disorder and occasional depression, says worries about academics and college are a huge source of stress.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 17, 2023

He was, after all, a doctor, and he suspected that the teacher was trying to tell them that he had failed to diagnose attention deficit disorder in his own son.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Ten to 50 percent of inmates in prison have ADHD, according to estimates by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and the Bureau of Prisons.

From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2023

For me, it starts with the words and the acronym, Attention Deficit Disorder.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2022

In fact, I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, but that hasn’t stopped me from watching all Cubs games in their entirety every year.

From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2017

Lead poisoning can lead to aggressive behaviour, learning disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, hearing loss, anaemia, kidney damage and lowered IQ.

From Economist ● Jan. 21, 2016

Channel surfing and similar behaviour became equated with a very real but variously diagnosed childhood illness called Attention Deficit Disorder.

From Open Source Democracy by Douglas Rushkoff