Updated March 2026
Welcome to class, everyone!
Here we explore mental health awareness by seeking to understand various diagnoses found within the holy bible of psychology, the DSM-V.
Today’s class topic: Attention-deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.
What is Attention-deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder?
ADHD stems from the inability to sit still (hyperactivity), poor concentration and impulsive behavior. When left unchecked, severe cases can adversely affect work and/or school performance, lead to unstable relationships, and affect other behaviors such as short temperaments and mood swings. Many symptoms appear similar to those diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
ADHD and ADD (attention deficit disorder) are thrown around casually and often used interchangeably within the public sphere. But they are not the same thing. ADD is used to describe ADHD with a subtype of inattentive attention.
In fact, there are seven types of ADHD now recognized within the DSM-V.
The 7 Types of ADHD
For one to be diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to know that symptoms can vary between individuals. Not every single symptom must be checked off the list since there are seven different types of ADHD one could experience.
Classic ADD is what many people recognize and assume is ADHD: generally inattentive, hyperactive, easily distracted, and disorganized.
Over-focused ADD has all the symptoms of Classic ADD, but their thoughts get stuck when shifting attention to new topics. They may worry excessively and demonstrate obsessive behavior.
Inattentive ADD is when an individual is easily distracted and lacks motivation, but they do not suffer from hyperactivity.
Limbic ADD has symptoms akin to depression mixed with classic ADD symptoms.
Those with Temporal Lobe ADD have aggression tendencies and mood instability combined with the symptoms of Classic ADD.
The Ring of Fire ADD is accurately named for those whose ADD meter is dialed to an extreme, so much so that the brain is constantly overactive. Those who have this subtype may find certain stimuli like touch and noise overly stimulating. This results in easily distracted or irritable moods in these individuals.
Someone with anxious ADD has all the classic symptoms, but with additional feelings of anxiety, which can manifest in physical ways like stress headaches.
And, of course, the combined type is the most common. Displaying six or more symptoms across any type of ADHD for more than six months can result in a combined ADHD diagnosis. A severity level is also determined: mild, moderate, or severe.
The Root
Experts say those diagnosed in adulthood with the disorder had it in childhood—as young as preschool years. For diagnosis in children, most professionals take age into consideration, often opting for twelve and under.
According to John Hopkins, the specific cause is unknown, but evidence points out that this disorder is genetic. In the CDC’s 2016 statistical study concerning ADHD, the results were 6.1 million children (9.4 percent) in the USA alone: 388,000 were between 2-5 years old, 2.4 million between 6-11 years old, and 3.3 million aged 12-17, with boy-presenting more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as girl-presenting. 6 in every 10 children also dealt with another mood or conduct problem, and 3 in 10 children had anxiety.
The Presentation
Since there are several subcategories within the umbrella of ADHD, its presentation is grouped into three different categories.
Predominantly inattentive: where following instructions, completing tasks, and focusing are extremely difficult. They may need consistent reminders to stay on track.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: fidgeting, interrupting others in conversations, and being unable to wait their turn are some ways this type manifests. Inattentiveness is less of a worry, but it can still make it difficult to focus on completing tasks.
Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive: this is the most common, and includes all the main ADHD symptoms combined: the inability to pay attention well, impulsiveness, and having higher levels of energy and activity. They may fidget, be impatient with certain tasks, or have a hard time focusing.
If severe enough, it can lead to complications or difficulties in relationships in areas of life like social, work, or romantic partnerships.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In recent years, it was discovered that the treatment for ADHD relies predominantly on the type of ADHD an individual has. The root cause usually lies with increasing levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain to ease the severity of the symptoms.
Other ways to treat ADHD effectively is to engage in behavior therapy with the option of medication.
Additional Tips
Apps, calendars, and to-do lists are especially helpful tools for managing daily life with ADHD. Need to break down a task into step-by-step instructions? Need a timer to give yourself a competitive boost? Need to keep 1001 deadlines, anniversaries, and birthdays remembered on the day of? There’s apps for that!
Prioritizing tasks ensures that the important things get done when they need to. If it feels too “adult” and your brain rebels against the idea – turn your to-do list into a video game Quest list. You’ve got your Main Quest (what must be done) and your Side Quests (what is useful to be done, but with no time limit). Try it out and see how it works!
Create routines for meals, sleep, and exercise. It gives a cue to the brain for transition periods during the day and when evening sets in.
If limiting choices helps with overwhelm, do this with daily tasks such as figuring out what to eat or picking out your outfit of the day.
Healing is not linear, and it is important to remember that there are always good days and bad days. How you react with both will help the healing journey: celebrate the wins on good days, and be kind to yourself on bad days.
Remind yourself of what is in your control, and focus your efforts on that instead of what is not within your control. Your brain sometimes just needs a reminder that it is, in fact, in control of your life.
Remember, there is strength in reaching out for help.
Class dismissed.