Types of ADHD
As our understanding of different ADHD types grows, so does our ability to tailor treatments and support to address the unique challenges associated with each type.
Three Types of ADHD
There are three main ways to categorize ADHD symptoms.
1. Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
Common symptoms include impulsivity, impatience, and interrupting others. Many describe feeling as if they are constantly "driven by a motor." Individuals often seem fidgety, and may have trouble staying seated during meetings. Excessive talking or blurting out comments during conversations, difficulty waiting for one's turn, and frequent interruptions are also frequently observed. These are the symptoms most associated with ADHD in public perception and this type of ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in folks socialized as male.
Challenges
Because folks automatically associate this behaviour when they think of ADHD, it can increase stigmatization. This can impact people's perception of your skills and the opportunities available to you.
One of the downsides of having this energetic capacity is a higher level of impulsivity and unpredictability. This can result in feelings of chaos and disorganization, as well as being pulled in multiple directions without a clear strategy, ultimately increasing the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.
Strengths
One of the main strengths this type of ADHD offers is energy. Individuals have a high capacity for activity, which, when properly channeled, becomes a huge advantage.
Increased risk tolerance is also associated with ADHD. Folks with ADHD are much more likely to be entrepreneurs than neurotypical folks and are more likely to try a variety of things. This is partly due to a need for novelty and stimulation.
Moreover, folks with ADHD tend to be highly creative.
2. Inattentive Type
Common symptoms include difficulty focusing or finishing tasks. Folks are easily distracted and forgetful, make simple mistakes, and often described as daydreamers. This type is often underdiagnosed as it does not cause as much disruption in the classroom during childhood. There can also be a higher level of internalization, which correlates with increased symptoms of anxiety or depression.
People with this type of ADHD may be perceived as not listening or struggle to process information, often requiring instructions to be repeated several times. This type is more commonly diagnosed in adults and folks socialized as females.
Challenges
The high level of internalization associated with this type of ADHD can lead to more intensely felt emotional distress and dysregulation. Folks may feel a lot of pressure to mask symptoms, contributing to a high level of anxiety.
Perfectionism is also highly associated with this type of ADHD. As a result, individuals can suffer from a high level of self-criticism and are more prone to rejection-sensitive dysphoria.
Folks with this type of ADHD are more likely to experience difficulty with processing speed when it comes to absorbing new information.
Strengths
One of the main superpowers of ADHD is hyperfocus. When attention can be harnessed and pointed in a direction of interest, folks are able to sustain focus for long periods of time without interruption.
With interest in a topic comes a high level of attention to detail.
Folks with this type of ADHD have often had to manage for years undiagnosed and have a high level of resilience. Many times, there are systems and routines they have in place that come from trial and error that they are not even aware of.
3. Combination Type
Individuals with this type display a mix of the above symptoms. This type of ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in children. In addition to a combination of symptoms associated with Hyperactive and Inattentive types of ADHD, folks may also experience sleep disturbances, mood fluctuations, and suffer from an impact on their working memory.
Treatment Implications
Understanding the negative impact of ADHD on your functioning and mood, causing distress, is important. At the same time, recognizing its advantages is equally crucial. A diagnosis of ADHD only means that your brain has a slightly different way of functioning from the norm; but like anything, there are pros and cons to this. If the treatment you employ is able to use the strengths you naturally have to address some of the challenges you are facing, it is much more likely that you will have a good outcome and see the shifts you are looking for. Many highly skilled professionals have ADHD and have had great success in their careers. Part of this can be attributed to allowing yourself to pursue what you are naturally interested in rather than struggling to maintain focus on work you feel obligated to do due to others' expectations or your perception of what constitutes a 'good job.' Folks with ADHD often thrive as entrepreneurs because they give themselves permission to focus on the tasks they enjoy, utilizing their strengths, and delegate tasks that are the most challenging.
A skilled therapist will help you identify the structures and routines you’ve already established and explore how they can be expanded or applied to other areas of your life. Many folks with ADHD have implemented systems like setting time limits for work, creating lists, or having designated item locations. These strategies help them save brain capacity for the areas where they do need to focus more intentionally. In addition, using relaxation techniques, mindfulness and other strategies to regulate your nervous system can help your brain access your executive functioning skills more effectively.
Everything feels harder when we are anxious! Notice how your nervous system responds to the person you are working with. A good clinician will be able to use their nervous system to help ground yours.
