Types of ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD

It’s important to remember that whatever ADHD symptoms you experience, they’re not a reflection of your intelligence, motivation or ability. However, these symptoms may influence how you behave, which can sometimes cause academic or social challenges. 

Left unchecked without adequate support, constantly masking or managing symptoms can lead to ADHD burnout. This is where you experience intense physical and emotional exhaustion. An ADHD diagnosis can help you understand and manage your symptoms, helping you navigate different challenges you may encounter. 

Inattentive 

The severity of these symptoms can vary between people with ADHD and not everyone’s experience will be the same. Examples of symptoms you may experience include: 

• Struggle to pay attention 
• Difficulty sustaining attention 
• Procrastination 
• Careless mistakes 
• Difficulty following instructions 

Inattentiveness is not always recognised as an ADHD symptom and may be dismissed by teachers, managers or caregivers as laziness or a lack of motivation. This can be disheartening for people who are trying to focus but are constantly distracted by external stimuli, struggle to organise their thoughts or have a compulsion to focus their attention elsewhere. This can lead to feelings of guilt, ineptitude or being overwhelmed. 

Impulsivity 

Impulsivity means acting without thinking, often with little or no consideration of the consequences. It’s driven by a sense of urgency, a need to do or say something in that moment. As a result, impulsivity can lead to misunderstandings and frustration with family, friends and colleagues. 

For people with ADHD, this impulsivity can manifest in many ways, including: 

• Emotional outbursts 
• Spending money you don’t have 
• Indulging in risk-taking behaviours like alcohol or drugs 

Acting impulsively can have a detrimental impact on your life, relationships and health, so understanding how to manage urges can reduce ADHD’s influence on your life. 

Hyperactive 

Hyperactivity is characterised as the condition of being ‘abnormally or extremely active’, with common symptoms being: 

• Inability to keep still (e.g. constantly tapping your foot or fiddling with anything close to hand)  
• Talking excessively 
• Interrupting conversations 
• Struggling to wait your turn to speak 

People experiencing hyperactivity can be perceived as disruptive, which can cause issues within the school and workplace. 

How do you diagnose ADHD? 

Diagnosing ADHD isn’t as simple as taking a test.  

Diagnosing ADHD isn’t as straightforward as taking a test. It involves a comprehensive evaluation carried out by a qualified healthcare professional with specialist training in neurodevelopmental conditions, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, paediatrician, or specialist nurse. The process is designed to look beyond surface-level behaviours to understand your cognitive and emotional life experience. 

There is no blood test, brain scan or one-off diagnostic tool that can confirm ADHD. Instead, a diagnosis is based on a holistic understanding of how you think, feel, act and function in daily life.  

There are a number of ways to access an ADHD diagnosis, either through the NHS or with a private provider. Regardless of the route, the diagnostic process remains the same. 

1. Medical and mental health history: A detailed review of your (or your child’s) past and current medical and psychological conditions is an important first step. To meet the criteria for ADHD, symptoms need to have been present from childhood (before the age of 12). Clinicians may verify this through family or caregiver accounts, and sometimes school reports. This background helps build a clearer picture 
2. Observations across settings: For an ADHD diagnosis, symptoms must appear in more than one environment. Clinicians will look at how behaviours show up at home, school, work and in social situations to identify consistent patterns. 
3. Interviews and questionnaires: Structured interviews and questionnaires are often used to gather more detail. Input from family members, teachers, or close contacts, especially those who have known you since childhood, can provide valuable insights. 
4. Psychological testing: Some assessments may include cognitive tests focused on memory, planning and decision-making. These help identify underlying learning difficulties or personal strengths. 
5. Ruling out other conditions: Before confirming ADHD, clinicians consider other conditions that might explain the symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, autism, trauma or sleep disorders. 
6. DSM-5 criteria: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must: 
   • Present before the age of 12 
   • Occur in more than one setting 
   • Significantly impair daily functioning

How do you treat the 3 types of ADHD? 

It’s important to remember that the three types of ADHD are not character flaws, they’re neurological differences that impact around 4% of people in the UK. Where treatment would be beneficial, all types of ADHD can be treated with a combination of medication and behavioural therapy. 

Behavioural therapies 

Behavioural therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation, are often designed to help manage ADHD symptoms like inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity by building practical skills and reshaping behaviour patterns. CBT typically focuses on recognising unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and replacing them with more effective ones, while psychoeducation helps you better understand ADHD and develop coping strategies. Both approaches aim to reinforce positive habits and reduce difficulties through structured techniques and adjustments to your environment. 

Medication 

Stimulant medications are the most frequently prescribed and work by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which help improve focus and reduce impulsivity. For those who don’t respond well to stimulants, non-stimulant options can be used alone or alongside stimulants to manage symptoms effectively. 

ADHD treatment in adults vs children 

ADHD treatment varies by age, with approaches tailored to developmental needs. For younger children, parent training in behaviour management is typically the first recommendation, with medication added if necessary. Older children and adolescents often benefit from a combination of medication and behavioural therapies to support both academic and emotional development. In adults, treatment may include medication, cognitive behavioural therapy and education about ADHD, which can improve self-awareness, coping strategies and daily functioning.