The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) vary widely between children and adults. It’s a complex diagnosis, and researchers are discovering more information about ADHD every day.
Part of what makes ADHD diagnosis so difficult is because ADHD symptoms affect each person differently. Some people have very mild symptoms and require no treatment, while others find their symptoms debilitating and thrive through medication and therapy. In addition, ADHD is not a singular diagnosis: 3 ADHD subtypes make diagnosis and treatment more complicated.
However, ADHD symptoms are manageable, and many people with ADHD go on to live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. It all comes down to the right diagnosis, treatment, and coping skills.
In this article, Ability Central answers your most pressing questions about ADHD types and symptoms, including:
What are the different types of ADHD?
What are the symptoms of ADHD in childhood?
What are the symptoms of ADHD in adulthood?
Can childhood ADHD go away before adulthood?
How does ADHD affect communication?
What other diagnoses mimic ADHD?
How is ADHD diagnosed?
How do I get an accurate diagnosis for ADHD?
Where can I find more information about ADHD?
What are the different types of ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorized into three types:
Predominantly inattentive presentation. This type of ADHD makes it difficult for someone to organize or finish a task, pay attention to details, or follow instructions or conversations. People with predominantly inattentive presentation ADHD are easily distracted and prone to forgetting details, even if those details are part of a daily or familiar routine.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation. People with this type of ADHD tend to fidget and talk a lot. It takes work to sit still for a meal or complete homework. Someone with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation ADHD might feel restless all the time and struggle with impulsivity. Socially, people with this type of ADHD might interrupt others, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. They may make snap decisions with no regard to the consequences, which can lead to more accidents and injuries than their neurotypical peers.
Combined presentation. Someone with combined presentation ADHD has symptoms from both categories.
Doctors’ observations and clinical tests can help identify which type of ADHD is present. Knowing the ADHD type helps inform treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication.
To learn more about the types of ADHD and their possible treatments, see Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
What are the symptoms of ADHD in childhood?
Children with ADHD have structurally different brains compared to children without the condition. Studies show that kids with ADHD have smaller volumes in five brain regions that govern things like motivation and emotion. While adults can exhibit these differences, too, they tend to be most obvious in children.
These structural differences give children with ADHD trouble focusing and behaving. Symptoms of ADHD in children include:
Daydreaming
Difficulty remaining seated, like during a story circle or a test
Excessive talking
Fidgeting or squirming
Forgetting or losing things
Having difficulty getting along with others
Interrupting others
Making careless mistakes
Struggling to take turns
Taking unnecessary risks
While all children struggle with behavioral challenges at times, kids with ADHD often need more personalized interventions to correct their behavior. In many cases, a child with ADHD does not understand right away that their behavior is “bad.” Repeated discipline issues can cause difficulty at school, at home, and with friends.
To learn more about therapies and treatments for kids with ADHD, see Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
What are the symptoms of ADHD in adulthood?
It’s a common misconception that kids can “grow out” of ADHD. ADHD is a lifelong condition, but it can get easier to handle when you learn coping mechanisms and social skills. ADHD symptoms in adults tend to be more subtle and can be misinterpreted as personality flaws or negative character traits.
ADHD symptoms in adults include:
Difficulty starting or finishing tasks
Difficulty staying organized
Fidgeting or tapping hands and feet
Focus problems
Forgetting day-to-day things like bills, appointments, and deadlines
Impulsive decisions, like quitting a job or making a major purchase
Inability to pay attention to details
Inability to sit still for long periods
Interrupting others
Mood swings
Poor prioritization and time management skills
Restlessness
Risky behaviors, like over-spending, substance use, or unprotected sex
Talking too much
Additionally, many adults with ADHD struggle with mental health issues, especially anxiety and depression. As many as two-thirds of adults living with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition, and one-quarter live with a diagnosable anxiety disorder.
This is especially true for women with ADHD, because girls with ADHD are historically underdiagnosed in childhood. Women with ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than men, and studies show that healthcare professionals often diagnose women with an anxiety disorder but miss their ADHD symptoms.
Can childhood ADHD go away before adulthood?
ADHD is a childhood disorder, which means that symptoms must be present before adolescence to confirm a diagnosis. Symptoms can also change over time. Hyperactivity and impulsivity, for example, tend to be more common in young children with ADHD, while teens and young adults with ADHD have more difficulty with paying attention and completing tasks.
With treatment, many children and adolescents learn ADHD coping skills that stay with them into adulthood. In these cases, symptoms become milder or appear to go away entirely. As many as half of children with ADHD “outgrow” their most severe symptoms by adulthood. However, ADHD is a brain disorder, and will not fully go away, be outgrown, or be “cured.”
How does ADHD affect communication?
The distractions, impulsiveness, and difficulty with paying attention brought about by ADHD can affect communication, resulting in interruptions, disorganized thoughts, and trouble following conversations.
These communication challenges can have a profound effect on a person's quality of life and can impact their ability to work, socialize, and maintain relationships.
To learn more about the ways ADHD affects communication, see Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): 8 Facts You Might Not Know.
What other diagnoses mimic ADHD?
Part of what makes ADHD such a tricky diagnosis is that its symptoms overlap with many mental health, neurological, and mood disorders. In addition, many adults with ADHD eventually develop these co-existing conditions.
During the diagnosis and treatment processes, healthcare professionals rule out alternative explanations for ADHD-like behavior. These might include:
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Disruptive behavior disorders
Environmental conditions, like changes at home or difficulties within a family unit
Insomnia or other sleep disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Substance abuse, also called substance use disorder
How is ADHD diagnosed?
There is no one test to identify ADHD. Instead, doctors use a mix of behavioral tests and clinical tests to look for ADHD symptoms and rule out other conditions. Tests for ADHD might include:
Behavioral assessments using the Conners Rating Scale, which gives children a score based on the severity of their ADHD symptoms.
Child behavior checklists and teacher report forms.
Tests of variable attention (TOVA), which examine someone’s ability to pay attention to boring or unpleasant tasks despite a lack of interest.
Self-reporting scales like the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), which applies Conners Rating Scale criteria to adults.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing, which measures brain activity.
Blood tests, eyesight and hearing tests, and other physical tests to rule out other conditions.
To qualify for an official ADHD diagnosis, someone must have symptoms that:
Appear before age 12
Are present in multiple settings (school, work, home, etc.)
Interfere with daily life and make it difficult to function
Are not explained by another condition, like a physical or mental health disorder
How do I get an accurate diagnosis for ADHD?
Your family doctor, pediatrician, or primary care physician is a great place to start for an ADHD evaluation. While you’re researching ADHD, you can also take a free self-assessment online. Note that these evaluations do not equal a medical diagnosis. Instead, self-evaluations arm you with information about your symptoms you can then discuss with a licensed healthcare provider.
To learn more about doctors who can diagnose and treat ADHD, see Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
Where can I find more information about ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a complex diagnosis that requires careful research, education, and treatment. Regular visits with doctors, pediatricians, therapists, and psychiatrists can help both children and adults seek a diagnosis and manage their ADHD symptoms.
To learn more about ADHD, see:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What Happens After an ADHD Diagnosis?
Long-term Support and Resources for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): 8 Facts You Might Not Know
To learn more about conditions related to ADHD, see:
A Quick Guide to Dyscalculia: Symptoms, Impact, and Treatment
Dysgraphia in Children and Adults: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
