Types of ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder, occurring in 3 to 8 percent in the school age population. It also appears in smaller proportion of adults. This condition is a chronic syndrome of age-inappropriate inattention, overactivity, distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness. ADHD is more commonly seen in men than in women. However, in adult-diagnosed cases, ADHD affects both genders equally. It is important to educate parents, family members and other caregivers with regards to the nature of ADHD, its complications and comorbidity, prevention, treatment, and palliation. A thorough understanding is essential with regards to ADHD since it is considered to be a controversial issue.

Experts, researchers and majority of the population challenge the validity of the diagnosis, as well as the most common and best-documented treatment which is the stimulant medication. ADHD is diagnosed by clinicians through DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The exact etiology of ADHD is not yet known but many research studies are being conducted in order to identify the actual cause of ADHD. Most studies suggest that ADHD has a biologic basis. According to them, most children diagnosed with ADHD have an immediate relative who are also suffering with the same condition, whether a parent, sibling or other close family member. Other probable causes of ADHD according to several studies include environmental factors, brain injuries, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies and food additives.

The Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders or DSM-IV diagnostic criteria identified three types of ADHD. These include the predominantly inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type and the combined type. In the predominantly inattentive type, all inattention symptoms are present while no hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms are seen. Some common inattention symptoms are lack of focus and attention to detail, difficulty in concentration, inability to pay close attention, difficulty in following simple instructions, forgetfulness and absent mindedness.

The second type of ADHD which is the hyperactive-impulsive type involves symptoms of overactivity and impulsivity. In this type of ADHD, no signs and symptoms of inattention can be observed. Some signs and symptoms predominant in this type include constant fidgeting, difficulty and inability to keep still or stay in one place, inappropriate hyperactive behaviors such as running and shouting most of the time, inability to quietly perform activities, frequently interrupts conversation and excessive talkativeness.

There are also some ADHD children who manifest signs and symptoms that are both present in the predominantly inattentive type and hyperactive-impulsive type. This subtype of ADHD is known as the combined type. Most cases of ADHD have the combined type. It is important to identify what type of ADHD does the child has in order to easily identify the goal of treatment and management to be used. The treatment of choice for ADHD is the use of stimulant medications. Although researchers have not yet been able to identify the exact treatment that will completely cure this condition, parents and other family members should always be there for their ADHD children to care and provide their special needs since these children rely on them on the hopes of achieving success.