Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects almost 10% of American children between 13 and 18 years old, as well as 4% of U.S. adults over 18. ADHD has 3 primary characteristics: Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Although ADHD is a broad term, it does have 3 subtypes:
Predominantly inattentive
Also called attention deficit disorder or ADD, predominantly inattentive ADHD has 6 or more inattentive symptoms and fewer than 6 hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, although hyperactivity-impulsivity may still exist to a certain extent.
Children with predominantly inattentive ADHD are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other kids. They may sit still, but struggle being attentive. Such children are often overlooked because parents and teachers may not notice that the child has ADHD.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD has the opposite combination compared to predominantly inattentive ADHD: 6 or more symptoms are in the hyperactive-impulsive categories, and fewer than 6 inattentive symptoms. Children with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD are more hyperactive and impulsive, although inattention may still exist to some degree.
Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive
As its label suggests, combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD occurs when one is inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive. In these cases, 6 or more inattentive symptoms exist, as well as 6 or more hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
This is the most common type of ADHD among children.
To be diagnosed with combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD, children must have any combination of these symptoms for at least 6 months at levels surpassing those of other children of the same age. Adults must have ADHD symptoms that began in childhood and continued throughout adulthood.
Only a licensed mental health professional can provide an ADHD diagnosis, after a thorough evaluation. If you think you or your child might have ADHD, contact your local mental health professional.
Many people with ADHD now live a life free of their condition’s symptoms, while others have embraced solutions that make their condition easily manageable. If you’re interested in a natural solution to manage your ADHD, EMPowerplus Advanced—combined with other healthy lifestyle changes—may be the answer. Check out the independent research that has studied the effects and benefits of using EMPowerplus to manage ADHD.