ADHD

What is ADHD?

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It’s usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood.

What are the 3 types of ADHD and their symptoms?

There are 3 different ways we can show ADHD and therefore different symptoms that align with them. They include:

The inattentive type

• Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention)
• Difficulty listening to others
• Difficulty attending to details
• Easily distracted
• Forgetful
• Poor organisational skills for age
• Poor study skills for age

The impulsive type

• Often interrupts others
• Difficulty waiting for his or her turn in school and/or social games
• Tends to blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called upon
• Takes frequent risks, and often doesn’t think before acting

The hyperactive type

• Constantly in motion; and runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion
• Difficulty remaining in his/her seat even when it is expected
• Fidgets with hands or squirms when in his or her seat; fidgeting excessively
• Talks excessively
• Has difficulty engaging in quiet activities
• Loses or forgets things repeatedly and often
• Inability to stay on task; shifts from one task to another without bringing any to completion

As symptoms can change over time, so can the presentation. Additionally, often individuals will find they have a combination of 2 of the above, or all 3. This demonstrates the significant fluidity of ADHD as a highly-individualised disorder. 

What does ADHD look like in adults compared to children?

ADHD can present differently across individuals, age, and gender. Males typically exhibit hyperactive and/or impulsive symptoms whereas females will often example inattentive symptoms. Meanwhile, about one in three children with ADHD show remission by adulthood. Inattention symptoms have a greater persistence into adulthood and show a slower decline than hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. 

For adults, hyperactivity symptoms become felt more internally than observed outwardly.

ADHD symptoms: What are common daily challenges adults with ADHD may experience? 

• Anxiety
• Chronic boredom
• Chronic lateness and forgetfulness
• Depression
• Trouble concentrating when reading
• Trouble controlling anger
• Problems at work
• Impulsiveness
• Low tolerance for frustration
• Low self-esteem
• Mood swings
• Poor organisational skills
• Procrastination
• Relationship problems
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Low motivation

Can ADHD be a ”superpower”? Read here to discover.

ADHD testing for adults and children

At Mind Matters, we can conduct a thorough and comprehensive ADHD assessment. Read more about adult ADHD assessment and assessments for children.