What is ADHD? - Part 1

Written by Paige Cox, General Member

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a “developmental disorder associated with an ongoing pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.” (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults, n.d.)There are many misconceptions about ADHD, but why? It is said that “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was once thought to be a male-only disorder, leaving women and girls to suffer in silence.” (Attoe & Climie, 2023) It is so important to keep in mind that with early detection and intervention, ADHD is manageable. 

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

The part of ADHD that is interesting to think about is that it presents differently in men than it does in women. Because it was initially believed to be a disorder that only affected males, it is only in recent times that information is coming out about how ADHD differs between men and women. Some of the things mentioned as differences that can exist are as follows.

  • Women and girls are encouraged to display “feminine” behaviours and traits(Attoe & Climie, 2023)

  • When girls display behaviours consistent with ADHD symptoms (e.g., impulsivity, hyperactivity, and disorganization), they are at a higher risk for social judgment for violations of feminine norms(Attoe & Climie, 2023)

  •  Girls are more often diagnosed with ADHD-Inattentive (ADHD-I), exhibiting symptoms such as distraction, disorganization, and forgetfulness.(Attoe & Climie, 2023)

  •  Boys more frequently present with ADHD-Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (ADHD-HI), exhibiting more significant levels of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and aggression.(Attoe & Climie, 2023)  

ADHD symptoms:

It is so important to note that there are three subtypes of ADHD and that the symptoms can vary with each subtype. The three subtypes are as follows:

  • Inattentive 

  • Hyperactive/Impulsivity 

  • Combined Type

Each subtype has its symptoms; no two cases of ADHD are the same. That being said, they also can not be treated the same way.

The Clevland Clinic website states that the following symptoms can be presented with each type. You must have 6 Symptoms with each subtype.

Inattention symptoms

Inattention symptoms can negatively impact your social relationships, work and schoolwork. To have the inattention subtype of ADHD, you must have at least six of the following, lasting over six months:

  • Errors because of inattention. This leads to careless mistakes, missed details and accuracy problems. This can cause problems with work performance and academic performance (if you’re in school).

  • Difficulty staying focused. This can cause your attention to drift during conversations, meetings, lectures or seminars, and lengthy reading or studying.

  • Difficulty listening or paying attention when others speak to you. This can look like distraction, daydreaming or staring off into space (sometimes known as a “thousand-yard stare”).

  • Trouble following through and completing tasks. This means you’re quick to start new tasks or projects. However, you also tend to “run out of gas” and have trouble finishing them.

  • Difficulty organizing and prioritizing. This means you have trouble planning and reaching goals, especially goals that take multiple steps to reach. It can make you appear messy or disorganized, or cause problems with being on time or meeting deadlines.

  • Dislike or avoidance of tedious work. This makes it harder for you to complete boring or mindless tasks that require you to pay attention. Examples of this include chores, housework and doing busy work.

  • Prone to losing, misplacing or forgetting things. This looks like being absent-minded or careless. You may misplace items like your purse or wallet, cell phone or keys. Sometimes, you’ll leave items in odd places — for example, you might unintentionally leave your keys in the fridge and then struggle to find them later.

  • Easily distracted. This can happen either because of things happening around you or because you’re distracted by your mind’s tendency to wander.

  • Forgetful or absentminded in your daily routine. You may struggle to keep appointments, do errands, pay bills and buy household necessities.

Hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms

Hyperactivity and impulsivity are very common with ADHD. Impulsivity can cause problems with social skills and interactions. To have the hyperactivity/impulsivity subtype of ADHD, you must have at least six of the following, lasting over six months:

  • Frequent fidgeting. This may look like bouncing your leg, tapping your feet, playing with a pen or checking your phone repeatedly, among other things.

  • Difficult staying seated when it’s expected. This causes frequent interruptions for you to stand up or walk around.

  • Restlessness. In children, this causes running and climbing behaviors, especially when it’s not appropriate. In adults, this looks like feeling uncomfortable being still.

  • Trouble doing things you enjoy quietly. This is especially true during downtime, hobbies or other fun or relaxing activities. You may talk to yourself or habitually say nonsensical words or phrases aloud.

  • Unusually high activity level. This can make you look like you’re constantly busy or in a hurry. Others may have trouble keeping up with you.

  • Excessive talking. This looks like talking as if you have no filter, over-explaining yourself or "info dumping" (an informal term that means excitedly talking at length about a topic you enjoy).

  • Conversational self-restraint problems. This means you have trouble in conversations because you impulsively speak. You often interrupt others, finish others’ sentences or talk without thinking about how others will feel about what you say.

  • Struggles with being patient for your turn. An example is having trouble waiting in line or finding it hard to patiently wait for something you want or need.

  • Problems with reading situational social boundaries. This can cause you to intrude on or interrupt others frequently. You might insert yourself into conversations, activities or games without realizing that others could find this rude.

Combined symptoms

This subtype of ADHD is when a person has at least six of the hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms and at least six of the inattention symptoms.

Treatments for ADHD

On the Mayo Clinic Website it is stated that for treatment for ADHD it can be “ medication, education, skills training and psychological counseling”. Not everything will work for everyone so it may take time to find out what works for you. (Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic, n.d.)

How can I help myself or someone I love who lives with ADHD? 

The following are some resources on ADHD:

References:

ADHD in Adults: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 25, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5197-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-in-adults

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—Diagnosis and treatment—Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350883

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: What You Need to Know - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2024, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know

Attoe, D. E., & Climie, E. A. (2023). Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(7), 645–657. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231161533

DESR and ADHD: The Overlooked Emotional Component of ADHD. (n.d.). Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.additudemag.com/desr-adhd-emotional-regulation/

Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2024, May 31). Dictionary.Com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/bacchanal

Drunken reveler—Definition, Meaning & Synonyms. (n.d.). Vocabulary.Com. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/drunken%20reveler

Emotion Regulation | Psychology Today Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/emotion-regulation

Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2014). A Review of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Women and Girls: Uncovering This Hidden Diagnosis. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 16(3), PCC.13r01596. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.13r01596

Why ADHD Is Often Underdiagnosed In Women. (n.d.). Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://www.henryford.com/blog/2023/09/why-adhd-is-often-underdiagnosed-in-women