Types of ADHD (characteristics, causes and symptoms)

We have all heard of ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a psychological disorder that seems to be fashionable in the recent times: more and more children go from “being nervous” to being diagnosed with this psychopathology.

There are many professionals who have raised their voices and warned that perhaps we are abusing too much of this diagnosis, but the objective of this article is not to question this issue, but simply define ADHD and detail the criteria to detect it. We will also emphasize explain the two types of ADHD.

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What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Abbreviations ADHD mean Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is characterized by severe hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention, and is a type of psychological disorder that appears during childhood.

It is usually associated with other disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder, behavior or difficulty in reading, is usually accompanied and detected, by difficulties in school performance or conflicts in the family environment or with friends.

Studies of families, adoptions and twins seem to corroborate the importance of the genetic factor in this disorder.

Types of ADHD and their characteristics

There are two types of ADHD:

• With a predominance of attention deficit
• With a predominance of hyperactivity-impulsivity

Here are the symptoms associated with each of these subtypes, but keep in mind that to diagnose ADHD, these symptoms must persist for at least 6 months with maladaptive intensity and incoherent in relation to the level of development, and that at least six of the following symptoms described in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual must be present.

1. ADHD Inattention

This type of ADHD is characterized by intense symptoms related to attention management problems, which affect both academic performance and social interactions.

1. Frequently does not pay enough attention to detail or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
2. Often shows difficulty maintaining attention to tasks or play activities
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. Often does not follow instructions and does not complete schoolwork, assignments, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or inability to understand instructions)
5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as school or household work)
7. Often misplaces items needed for tasks or activities, such as toys or school supplies
8. Often easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli
9. Is often careless in daily activities

2. ADHD Hyperactivity

This type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has its focus on poor regulation of behavior, which is erratic and in which pauses are few.

1. Often fidgets with hands and feet or fidgets in seat
2. Often leaves your seat in class or in other situations where you are expected to remain seated
3. Often runs or jumps excessively in situations where it is inappropriate to do so (in adolescents or adults it may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
5. Often "running" or acting as if it had an engine
6. Often talks excessively Impulsivity
7. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
8. Often has difficulty saving tumo
9. Often interrupts or intrudes on the activities of others (for example, intrudes on conversations or games).

Possible causes

At the moment there is no known single cause that explains the appearance of ADHDAlthough it has been proven that certain events that occur throughout the development of the body lead to the appearance of this disorder, and it is also known that there are genetic predispositions. For example, tobacco use by pregnant women has an impact on the fetus, increasing the chances of manifesting some of the types of ADHD.

Therapies and treatments for children and adults with ADHD

Finally, it should be noted that there are currently many effective treatments for minimize the impact of ADHD on the life of the child, adolescent or adult, and that not all involve medication. For example, cognitive and behavioral therapies, trainings for parents and in social skills, psychopedagogical reeducation, are good alternatives.

One of the (few) advantages that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is “in” is that they are continually performed studies to improve treatments and professionals can act very efficiently, both in their detection and in their treatment.

Equally, it would be good if we did not forget that children, as children that they are, are nervous and this is a normal behavior that should not worry us. It will only be a reason for special attention if the diagnostic criteria that we have mentioned are met, when it will be necessary to go to a professional to guide us.

Likewise, it is important to insist that it is proven that treatments that do not involve medication are the same or more effective to treat ADHD and therefore we must follow the indications of the mental health professional. A comprehensive approach to this type of childhood conduct disorder can be much more useful than approaches that prioritize direct intervention and administration of psychotropic drugs.

Bibliographic references:

• Ashton H, Gallagher P, Moore B (September 2006). The adult psychiatrist's dilemma: psychostimulant use in attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 20 (5): 602–10.
• Brown, T.E. (2006). Attention deficit disorder. A mind unfocused on children and adults. Barcelona: Masson.
• Franke B, Faraone SV, Asherson P, Buitelaar J, Bau CH, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Mick E, Grevet EH, Johansson S, Haavik J, Lesch KP, Cormand B, Reif A (October 2012). The genetics of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder in adults, a review. Molecular Psychiatry. 17 (10): 960–87.
• Geller, B.; Luby, J. (1997). "Child and adolescent bipolar disorder: a review of the past 10 years." [Childhood and adolescent bipolar disorder: a review of the past 10 years.]. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 36: 1168-1176.
• Neuman R.J., Lobos E., Reich W., Henderson C.A., Sun L.W., Todd RD (June 15, 2007). "Prenatal smoking exposure and dopaminergic genotypes interact to cause a severe ADHD subtype". Biol Psychiatry 61 (12): 1320-8.
• Sroubek A, Kelly M, Li X (February 2013). Inattentiveness in attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. Neuroscience Bulletin. 29 (1): 103–10.