Do you struggle with forgetfulness, restlessness, or trouble focusing?
If so, you might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition, affecting around 366.33 million people globally—approximately 5% of the world's population.
The impact of ADHD can vary depending on the type of ADHD, whether that's inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined-type ADHD.
No matter the type, ADHD therapy or coaching can provide valuable support.
In this guide, you’ll explore the three types of ADHD, the symptoms associated with each, and some strategies for navigating the world as a neurodivergent individual.
Criteria for ADHD Diagnosis
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes differences in cognitive functioning, much like autism and dyslexia.
These differences affect how individuals with ADHD navigate the world and manage their attention, impulses, and activity levels.
ADHD is diagnosed by a trained professional using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
For a diagnosis, symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 and cause significant difficulties in at least two key areas of life (i.e., career, relationships, school, home).
Clinicians typically ask you and your support team about your childhood report cards, medical history, current challenges, and how ADHD symptoms are affecting your daily life.
If the criteria for ADHD is met, you’ll be diagnosed with ADHD and given a classification based on your type of ADHD.
Although ADHD is commonly diagnosed in childhood, many adults seek diagnosis later in life, often because they were undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as children.
This is especially true for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of colour, who were historically underrepresented in early ADHD research.
Prevalence of ADHD
ADHD prevalence varies by country. As of 2020, the global number of ADHD cases was over 366 million adults.
In Canada, the Centre for ADHD Awareness estimates the following prevalence rates:
4–6% of adults
5–7% of children
Approximately 1.8 million Canadians are affected.
Boys and individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, but this may be due to biases in the early diagnostic research and process.
Boys often present with more overt hyperactive symptoms, leading to earlier diagnoses. In contrast, girls and non-binary individuals may be underdiagnosed, as their symptoms can be less obvious and are often masked until adulthood.
Symptoms of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD primarily revolve around three main categories: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentive. Common ADHD symptoms include:
Forgetfulness
Poor time management
Disorganization
Trouble focusing
Restlessness
Inability to sit still
Low frustration tolerance
Anxiety when waiting for something to start
These symptoms are often invisible to others, particularly if the individual is masking their traits to fit into societal norms.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, ADHD coaching or therapy can provide support.
Types of ADHD
ADHD is classified into three main types based on symptoms a person predominantly experiences. These include primarily inattentive ADHD, primarily hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, and combined-type ADHD.
ADHD individuals are given a classification based on the traits they predominantly display. This type of ADHD can change throughout the lifespan and based on life circumstances.
Primarily Inattentive ADHD
Contrary to the myth about ADHD that suggest that ADHD only involves, hyperactivity, primarily inattentive ADHD is common, especially in adults and women.
To receive a diagnosis of primarily inattentive ADHD, you must show six of the nine traits listed below (or five symptoms if you are an adult):
Low attention span: Staying focused on the task at hand can be a particular challenge to you if you experience this type of ADHD. Lectures, work tasks, or long reading passages can feel exhausting. This is especially true for mundane tasks. You may zone out, become stressed, or get bored easily.
Making careless mistakes: attention to detail is lacking in inattentive ADHDers. You may rush to get tasks done quickly, which can result in making thoughtless mistakes.
Trouble following instructions: you may begin a task without listening to the instructions. Sometimes, you’ll skip steps or quit because the task requires too much attention to instructions.
Daydreaming or getting distracted easily: ADHDers are known for getting side-tracked by other events in their environment, regardless of how much attention you try to pay to the current task. This can result in zoning out or daydreaming about random things.
Task avoidance for tasks that require continuous focus: procrastination is a common trait here. You may find yourself avoiding tasks, especially if they are boring and require sustained attention.
Frequently losing things: your brain has a difficult time with maintaining a log of where you placed things. This results in frequently losing things that you may need. For children, it could be schoolwork. For adults, it may be your phone, computer, or glasses.
Trouble listening when spoken to: you may zone out or daydream when someone is speaking to you because you may find it difficult to pay attention to the words they are saying. This is especially true if what they are saying is boring.
Disorganization: Keeping your work, home, or school tasks in order can be a real challenge. Deadlines are often kept out of sequence.
Forgetfulness: everyday tasks such as chores, paying bills, personal hygiene, and making sure appointments are set often get forgotten by the ADHD mind.
People with inattentive ADHD may have been misunderstood as lazy before receiving an official diagnosis. Getting this diagnosis can open the door to self-acceptance.
Primarily Impulsive-Hyperactive ADHD
This type of ADHD is often the most recognized because it includes impulsive and hyperactive behaviours.
Individuals with this type of ADHD often struggle with sitting still, waiting their turn, or controlling their impulses. Traifs of primarily impulsive-hyperactive ADHD include:
Frequent fidgeting: this is something you may frequently think of when you think of ADHD. You may tap your feet or mindlessly doodle.
Being on the go or in constant motion: you seem to be driven by a motor. You are always moving. This is usually seen as the person that is running all over the place, or it could involve frequently multitasking and staying busy.
Recklessness: you can't sit in one place or find time to relax. You feel this urge that you need to be doing more.
Talking too much: you can’t seem to stop talking, especially if it revolves around a topic of interest. You may also interrupt someone when they are talking and blurt out the answer.
Inability to stay quiet: Engaging in tasks quietly is a challenge. If there is too much quiet within a room that you are engaging in an activity in, you need some music or noise.
Can’t sit still: this may involve frequently getting out of your seat and walking around the room multiple times.
Trouble waiting your turn: a person may have trouble waiting in a line or with sharing their toys with other people.
Interrupting people when they are people: waiting your turn during a conversation is a challenge. You may interrupt a conversation to share your points or intrude on the conversation of another person.
Blurt out answers: urgency may be seen by ADHDers during a mundane conversation. As a result, you may frequently blurt out answers to what you see as urgent.
Primarily impulsive-hyperactive ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, but it's more often recognized in children.
Primarily Combined-Type ADHD
It’s common to have a mixture of inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive traits.
When someone exhibits both inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, they are diagnosed with combined-type ADHD.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ADHD. If you have ADHD, neurodiversity-affirming therapy or coaching could be a great fit. This approach could take place virtually.
This recognizes your strengths while helping you manage the challenges that ADHD presents.
Blue Sky Learning offers a team of ADHD therapists and coaches who can provide a safe, supportive environment where you can explore strategies to structure your life in a way that works with your ADHD brain.
Starting therapy or coaching can feel overwhelming, but a comprehensive guide to navigating your first therapy or coaching session can help make the process smoother.
ADHD Strengths
While ADHD presents many challenges, it also brings unique strengths that you can embrace in therapy. Some of these strengths include:
Strong conversationalist: Many ADHDers, especially those with inattentive traits, are engaging conversationalists, often excelling in dynamic, interesting conversations.
Creativity: ADHDers are often highly creative, finding innovative ways to navigate a world not built for neurodivergent minds.
Adaptability: The impulsive nature of ADHD can be an asset when quick changes are necessary, allowing for flexible problem-solving in fast-paced situations.
ADHD Strategies
Managing ADHD symptoms requires personalized strategies. Some common techniques include:
Use a wall calendar to stay organized
Try the pomodoro technique (work in focused intervals with breaks)
Designate specific areas for important items
Set alarms on your phone for reminders
Use noise-cancelling headphones or pink/brown noise machines
Practice using a sleep mask to improve rest
Break tasks down into smaller steps
Add novelty to tasks to make them more engaging
Spend time unmasked to reduce mental fatigue
Ask for accommodations as ADHD could be considered a disability.
Book a Free Consultation with Bee Kind Counselling
If you suspect you have ADHD or would benefit from neurodiversity-affirming therapy or coaching, you could start your journey today.
Book a 20-minute free consultation with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist or coach from Blue Sky Leaning by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca, calling (437) 291-8807, or booking through the website below.
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