Despite the fact that Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects up to seven percent of school-age children, the symptoms of this disorder can be easy to misinterpret or overlook. ADHD diagnoses are divided into an inattentive type, a hyperactive type, and a combined type. According to the American Psychiatric Association, boys tend to have a higher incidence of the hyperactive type and girls have a higher incidence of the inattentive type. Adults can also suffer from ADHD, although statistics on the number of adults who have ADHD are not yet available. Research published by the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2005 indicates that a combination of drug treatment and behavioral therapy is the most effective method of treating ADHD.
ADHD Primarily Inattentive Type
People with the inattentive type of ADHD are often labeled as "daydreamers". The typical symptoms include things like difficulty paying attention to detail, careless mistakes on schoolwork or paperwork, forgetfulness, having trouble maintaining attention on tasks that are challenging but not particularly interesting, and difficulty finishing activities. Both children and adults who have this type of ADHD may often appear to be "zoning out" while others are talking to them and may also have difficulty remembering what they were doing, especially if presented with directions that have multiple steps. Organization and planning are not strengths for inattentive ADHD types, and they may often find that tasks take longer because they forgot something and have to backtrack. A diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type requires at least six symptoms present for at least six months in two separate environments (for example in school and at home). The symptoms must impact the person's ability to function at the level expected of them, given their age and intellectual ability.
ADHD Primarily Hyperactive Type
The Hyperactive type of ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity. Sometimes individuals with this disorder are described as acting like they are "driven by a motor" or "on batteries". Typical symptoms include things like fidgeting and squirming, inability to sit or stay in one place for long, climbing or running around when it is not appropriate to do so, difficulty playing quietly, and excessive talking. Both children and adults with this type of ADHD might blurt out answers, interrupt others in conversation, and have difficulty waiting their turn. Again, at least six symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity must be present for at least six months within two environments to meet the criteria for this type of ADHD.
ADHD Combined Type
People who are diagnosed with the combined type of ADHD meet the criteria for both the inattentive and the hyperactive type ADHD. This means at least twelve symptoms are present (six symptoms of inattention and six symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity) for six months or more in two or more environments. Like both the inattentive and hyperactive types of ADHD, the symptoms present must interfere with normal functioning given the age and ability of the individual. For example, a smart child who is failing out of school because of silly mistakes on their homework and the inability to sit down during class time may have the combined type of ADHD.
References
- American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
- American Journal of Psychiatry: Cost-Effectiveness of ADHD Treatments- Findings From the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With ADHD
