📘Definition of ADHD
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the brain's executive functions. It makes it really tough for kids and adults to focus and handle different parts of everyday life, but sometimes it also means they can get super focused on other stuff.
Edward Hallowell, in his book "ADHD 2.0," defines ADHD as „(…) a term that describes a way of being in the world. It is neither entirely a disorder nor entirely an asset. It is an array of traits specific to a unique kind of mind. It can become a distinct advantage or an abiding curse, depending on how a person manages it.” Hallowell emphasizes that ADHD also comes with unique skills and abilities that can be valuable if managed properly.
Russell Barkley, on the other hand, describes ADHD as "a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in behavioral inhibition, sustained attention and resistance to distraction, and the regulation of one’s activity level to the demands of a situation (hyperactivity or restlessness)." According to Barkley, ADHD is not just about difficulty with focusing. It's also about issues with impulse control and adapting, which makes everyday life harder. People with ADHD get distracted easily, struggle to stay focused, and have a hard time regulating their activity levels, often showing hyperactivity or anxiety.
🔢What are the ADHD types? There are 3!
Quick look at the ADHD types:
Mostly inattentive
Mostly hyperactive-impulsive
Combined
🧩 ADHD with mostly inattentive (formerly ADD)
Individuals with this type of ADHD struggle to focus, finish tasks, and follow instructions. They get easily distracted, lose track of conversations, forget things, and often misplace items.
Experts say that many children with this type of ADHD go undiagnosed because they don’t disrupt others in the classroom or other group settings, so their symptoms go unnoticed or undiagnosed.
🚀ADHD with mostly hyperactivity-impulsivity
Individuals with this type of ADHD act impulsively, move around, fidget, are impatient, and interrupt others.
🔄Combined type ADHD
Individuals with this type of ADHD show both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (6 out of 9 symptoms for each type).
But that's not all!
The American Psychiatric Association defines specific diagnostic criteria for each ADHD type in the DSM-5. Curious? Keep reading!
🔍 ADHD Symptom according to DSM-5 criteria
🧩 Symptoms of ADHD with predominantly inattentive (formerly ADD)
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort/concentration
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
Is often forgetful in daily activities
🚀 Symptoms of ADHD with predominantly hyperactivity and impulsivity
Symptoms of hyperactivity:
Fidgets or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
Exhibits uncontrollable hyperactivity, which means the person has difficulty refraining from constant movement or activity. This may include fidgeting, pacing, drumming fingers, or even talking incessantly. Such hyperactivity is challenging to manage.
Appears to be driven by "a motor" or is often "on the go."
Often has difficulty engaging in quiet, leisurely activities (e.g., reading or drawing).
Inability to remain seated (often gets up, fidgets, walks around the room, or engages in other activities that disrupt others).
Excessive talking, meaning the person talks a lot, often nonstop, in situations where such an amount of talking is inappropriate or not suitable for the context.
Symptoms of impulsivity:
Has difficulty waiting for their turn.
Often interrupts others, intrudes into conversations or activities.
Often impulsively answers questions before they have been fully asked.
🔄Symptoms of combined type ADHD (formerly ADD)
Meets both criteria for predominantly inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types.
👀 Causes of ADHD
🧬 Even though researchers still do not know exactly what causes ADHD, we know that genes play a significant role. That’s right! Over 20 studies have shown that ADHD is hereditary (runs in families) and results from the functioning of many genes.
“If one parent has ADHD, the risk is one in three that a given child will have ADHD. If both parents have ADHD, the risk is two in three for a given child. However, those are just average. In Dr. Hallowell’s family, for example, he has ADHD, his wife does not, but all three of their children have ADHD.” (Hallowell, ADHD 2.0)
🌿Certain environmental factors can increase the risk of exacerbating ADHD symptoms:
Exposure to lead or pesticides in early childhood
Premature birth or low birth weight
Brain injury
🌿Scientists continue to study the exact relationship between ADHD and environmental factors, but they say there's no one cause for ADHD, and many things might play a role.
And now something new, at least for me. While researching this topic, I found out that there are different severities of ADHD symptoms.
📊 Severity of Symptoms
ADHD symptoms can differ from person to person, which is why the DSM-5 recommends specifying the degree of severity, which can change over a lifetime and can be:
mild,
moderate,
or severe.
📈 Mild:A few extra symptoms, causing minor issues in social, school, or work life.
📉 Moderate: Symptoms between "mild" and "severe." A person with moderate ADHD symptoms may experience some difficulties in daily life, like problems with concentration, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, but these difficulties aren't so extreme that they completely mess up their social, work, or school life.
🔴Severe: Many symptoms beyond what's required, causing significant problems in social, school, or work life.
Symptoms may change with age. Adults with partial symptoms from childhood may have ADHD in partial remission.
Remember: ADHD is a complex disorder that can look different for everyone. Understanding this disorder is crucial to giving the right support and treatment.
📝 Summary
ADHD is a complex disorder that affects daily life. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and ways to cope is key to making life better for those with ADHD. Each person with ADHD is unique, so support must be tailored to individual needs.
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