Do ADHD Symptoms Change as We Age?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often diagnosed in childhood and can persist into adulthood, but do the symptoms change? Read on to see how ADHD symptoms present themselves in each phase of life.
How Do I Know Which Type of ADHD I Have?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental health condition that affects both children and adults. While it’s notorious for causing hyperactivity, that’s just one aspect of ADHD. It impacts your emotions, behaviors, and executive function skills, such as planning, organizing, and task initiation.
At Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Hadi Estakhri is an expert in diagnosing and treating ADHD and knows that the right treatment depends on what type of ADHD you have.
The three types of ADHD are: hyperactive/impulsive type, inattentive type, and combined. But how do you know which type you have? Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the three types of ADHD
Before you can determine which type of ADHD you have, let’s first take a closer look at each type and its main symptoms.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD
People with hyperactive/impulsive ADHD may struggle with both hyperactivity and impulsivity. You may feel the need to constantly move. Other common symptoms related to this type of ADHD include:
- Difficulty staying seated (and you may fidget and squirm)
- Tendency to talk nonstop or interrupt others while talking
- Difficulty with self-control
- Risk-taking
Children with this type of ADHD may blurt out answers in school and have a hard time with things like waiting their turn to speak or taking turns in games.
Inattentive ADHD
If you have inattentive ADHD, you may:
- Struggle to focus on the task at hand
- Quickly become bored
- Miss details
- Process information slower
- Struggle with disorganization
- Lose or misplace items frequently
While anyone can have this type of ADHD, the inattentive type is more common among girls than boys, according to a review published by the National Institutes of Health.
Combined ADHD
People with combined hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive ADHD experience symptoms that relate to hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
Which type of ADHD do you have?
Here at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health, Dr. Estakhr uses The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose adolescents and adults with ADHD. The DSM includes criteria for diagnosing which type of ADHD you have as well.
The DSM-5 lists nine symptoms that suggest the hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD and nine symptoms that suggest the inattentive type of ADHD. To be diagnosed with hyperactive or inattentive ADHD, you need to demonstrate at least six symptoms for at least six months that interfere with work, school, or play.
If you have a significant amount of inattentive and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, you may be diagnosed with the combined type of ADHD.
If you’re an older teen or adult, you may only need to demonstrate five of each type of symptom before being diagnosed with ADHD.
During your evaluation, we review your health history and current symptoms. Because some symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating and excessive energy, can be related to other mental health conditions, we screen for any other potential conditions you may have.
Sometimes, you may have more than one condition at once. That’s called comorbidities, and it’s common in individuals with ADHD. Dr. Estakhri creates treatment plans that address any and all conditions to ensure that all of your symptoms are addressed.
Getting help for ADHD
Regardless of which type of ADHD you have, we know that the symptoms can be frustrating, but with the right treatment you can thrive. Dr. Estakhri may recommend lifestyle modifications plus medication and therapy to help you manage your symptoms.
Whether you’re dealing with hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention 一 or a combination of these 一 know that help is just a call or click away. Book an appointment with Dr. Estakhri today by calling us at 949-945-0927 or using our online scheduler.
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