Types of ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is defined as a chronic syndrome of age-inappropriate inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and restless overactivity. It targets approximately 5 to 9 percent of the population of school age children, and a smaller population of adults. It is seen that more males than females are diagnosed with this behavioral disorder. However in adult-diagnosed cases, the sex ratio may approach equality.

ADHD has a wide variety of symptoms ranging from characteristics of inattention to hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. Scientific studies and clinical finding led to the identification of types of ADHD. Diagnosing different types of ADHD enabled clinicians to recognize different methods of treatment such as stimulant medications and behavioral therapies. ADHD is diagnosed through a diagnostic criteria called as the DSM-IV. The criteria are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as well as the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This is also used to rule out other mental disorders that can usually be associated with ADHD such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis and autism.

Some examples of characteristics of inattention include difficulty remembering and following directions, easily distractibility, difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks and  other play activities, does not follow or has a hard time obeying simple commands, appearing confused most of the time, inconsistent performance, sluggish, reluctant to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort, gets easily overwhelmed, difficulty working independently, poor study skills, and difficulty organizing tasks and activities. Children often seen with these manifestations, with the use of DSM-IV, are diagnosed to have Predominantly Inattentive Type of ADHD.

Other children, on the other hand, are seen to have signs of symptoms of Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type of ADHD. In this type of ADHD, children are seen to have inappropriate behavior such as frequently getting into trouble, difficulty standing in lines, making inappropriate noises, irrational behavior, engaging in dangerous activities, beginning tasks without waiting for directions, getting easily bored or impatient, hurrying through tasks, disturbing others, and hurting or hitting others when upset.

In some cases, signs and symptoms in both types of ADHD can be seen together. This is classified as the Combined Type of ADHD. This type of ADHD is commonly seen as the child grows in which the inattentive symptoms become developmentally significant. Other common characteristics of children with ADHD include procrastination, getting easily frustrated, overly reactive, has difficulty being disciplined, aggressive behavior, low self-esteem, poor handwriting, over sensitivity to stimuli, motivational difficulties, and school performance difficulties.

Another way of classifying ADHD is identified by a psychiatrist and expert clinician from Amen Clinics in the United States. It is done through brain scanning involving dyes and CT scans. He defined these types of ADHD as the Classic, Inattentive, Overfocused, Temporal Lobe, Limbic ADHD and the RING OF FIRE. The basis for Amen’s types of ADHD is the hallmark symptoms which include brief attention span, disorganized thinking, procrastination, distractibility and poor self-control. This method of classifying ADHD is not generally accepted since the procedure of diagnosing psychiatric problems in children and in adults has no scientific basis as of the present. The American Psychiatric Association (APA), however, admits that brain imaging techniques can be used in the near future for the diagnosis of other psychiatric disorders.