ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental that can have a profound impact on learning, emotional regulation, and behaviour.
In many cases, ADHD is diagnosed at an early age with prescribed treatment to help individuals to manage their symptoms and minimise the impact that ADHD may otherwise have on their day-to-day life.
While ADHD awareness and treatment has come a long way over the past decade, there are still some misconceptions around the symptoms of ADHD. To understand why ADHD manifests differently in individuals, it’s important to recognise the three main types of ADHD and how each type affects the symptoms and treatment options available.
Type 1: Hyperactive ADHD
Hyperactive-impulsive attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is synonymous with what many picture ADHD to look like. Trouble sitting still, regulating physical and emotional responses, and trouble with controlling thoughts are all synonymous with hyperactive ADHD.
For children that struggle to sit still in the classroom and have difficulty regulating their behaviour, hyperactive ADHD is the most common cause of hyperactivity and impulsivity. It can often be difficult to distinguish normal, age-appropriate behaviour of a child from hyperactive ADHD, so it’s important to closely monitor symptoms and have your child tested by a trained ADHD psychologist before putting a label on anything.
Symptoms of Hyperactive ADHD
People with Hyperactive ADHD are likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Constant movement and fidgeting
- Difficulty focussing on tasks
- Interrupting others while talking
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Acting before thinking
- Lack of patience
- Reacting quickly to situations
- Difficulty with impulse control
- Lack of attention to detail
- Constantly looking for stimulation
Treatment for Hyperactive ADHD
Treatment for Hyperactive ADHD typically involves a mix of medication, behavioural therapy, and counselling. A combined approach to Hyperactive ADHD treatment helps individuals to develop coping strategies and manage symptoms that can drastically improve learning, professional development, and interpersonal relationships.
When Is Hyperactive ADHD Typically Diagnosed?
Hyperactive ADHD is typically diagnosed in primary school aged children that exhibit the symptoms outlined above. For children with Hyperactive ADHD, it’s important to seek early intervention and treatment to ensure the best possible learning opportunities and personal development through school and into early adulthood.
Type 2: Inattentive ADHD
Inattentive ADHD is defined by difficulty focussing and completing tasks. While these are both symptoms that are experienced by individuals with Hyperactive ADHD, the key difference is that children and adults with Inattentive ADHD are less likely to exhibit the same hyperactive symptoms that are commonly associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.
Awareness and acceptance of Inattentive ADHD has grown considerably in recent years with an increasing understanding around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. Historically, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders has been stereotyped by hyperactive and impulsive behaviour, however, there is now an increasing recognition that ADHD can also manifest with less obvious symptoms.
Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD
People with Inattentive ADHD are likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Difficulty finishing tasks
- Procrastinating tasks until the last minute
- Difficulty remembering things
- Constantly losing things
- Difficulty following instructions
- Difficulty paying attention to details
- Making careless mistakes
- Difficulty completing repetitive tasks
- Easily distracted from the task at hand
- Losing themselves in thoughts/daydreaming
Treatment for Inattentive ADHD
Treatment for individuals with Inattentive ADHD can include a mix of medication and behavioural therapy designed to address the root cause of symptoms. Behavioural treatment for Inattentive ADHD aims to improve organisational skills and create behavioural practices that improve the ability to focus on and complete tasks.
When Is Inattentive ADHD Typically Diagnosed?
Compared to Hyperactive ADHD, Inattentive ADHD is typically diagnosed later in life. Many adults who have struggled with concentration, short term memory, and procrastination may only now be seeking diagnosis and treatment for Inattentive ADHD.
The stereotype of ADHD is changing, which means that more individuals are seeking diagnosis and treatment to help them better cope with symptoms that they may have been dealing with throughout their life.
Type 3: Combined ADHD
As the name would suggest, Combined ADHD is a combination of Hyperactive and Inattentive ADHD types. Individuals with Combined ADHD are likely to exhibit symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
Symptoms of Combined ADHD
Individuals with Combined ADHD are likely to experience a mix of Hyperactive ADHD and Inattentive ADHD symptoms. Individuals with Combined ADHD are likely to sit on a scale with different symptoms that come from the Hyperactive and Inattentive types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Treatment for Combined ADHD
Treatment for Combined ADHD will usually include a mix of medication, behavioural therapy, and counselling. Treatment for Combined ADHD targets the symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity with a focus on managing symptoms and providing support to manage symptoms to improve learning, professional, and interpersonal outcomes.
When Is Combined ADHD Typically Diagnosed?
ADHD tends to manifest as predominantly inattentive or predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. When someone has a mix of both types, they may have combined type ADHD. A person with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms is far more likely to be diagnosed from a young age.
As such, depending on how the symptoms of combined ADHD manifest will typically dictate how early it is recognised and diagnosed. For individuals that exhibit a combination of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD symptoms, it’s important to speak to an ADHD professional who can provide appropriate support and guidance.
