What are the Different Types of ADHD?

There are three sub-types of ADHD

• ADHD: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
• ADHD: predominantly inattentive type (sometimes called ADD)
• ADHD: combined type (displays symptoms of both of the previous types)

There are different elements of ADHD that affect different people with varying degrees. This makes classifying ADHD into sub-types necessary to avoid confusion. These different elements are detailed below.

For Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Hyperactivity—Individuals who display this aspect of ADHD seem to be driven by a motor. It seems as if the individual cannot slow down. Children appear to have endless energy and are jumpy, fidgety, squirmy, noisy, and seem not to be able to calm down. Hyperactivity is a cause of many class disruptions and can create a problem at dinner time. Adults with this aspect of ADHD feel chronically restless and have a feeling they must remain busy.

Impulsiveness—Individuals who display this aspect of ADHD tend to frequently do things without fully contemplating all of their options. It seems as if the individual makes decisions urgently and quickly when it is unnecessary to do so. Children appear to display their emotions with a lack of control, blurt out inappropriate comments, un-intentionally offend people without thinking, and have extreme over-reactions to things happening around them. Children with this aspect of ADHD may also have difficulty sharing or taking turns because watching others have fun is difficult when a child with impulsiveness has to sit still.

For Inattentive Type

Inattention—Individuals who display this aspect of ADHD have a real difficulty keeping attention on what they are supposed to be doing or listening to. It is difficult for them to stay focused on learning something new that they have little interest in; however, if they are doing something they have an interest in then they have no problem paying complete and focused attention. It causes the individual to make careless mistakes even if they attempt to avoid them. Children affected by this aspect of ADHD have a serious problem with homework as they forget to write down assignments, bring the wrong book home, or leave there book at school. Homework is a very frustrating thing for children with ADHD as well as their parents. Adults experience similar difficulties with children in this sub-type as adults also tend to lose focus easily and lack the ability to listen for any sustained amount of time to something that doesn’t interest them. This sub-type of ADHD is sometimes called ADD.

Author: Kurt Robinson