Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a very common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents. It is defined as a biological dysfunction, of cerebral origin, that affects the ability of a minor, adolescent or adult to pay attention, regulate their motor activity (hyperactivity) and stop their behaviors or thoughts (impulsivity).
In general, it has important academic, psychological and social repercussions, in addition to affecting those closest to them. This disorder is much more common in boys than in girls, since for every 3 or 4 boys who are diagnosed with ADHD, a girl is diagnosed. On the other hand, in adults the difference is reduced to the fact that for every 2 men who suffer from ADHD, a woman has it. So why can two people diagnosed with the same thing be so different? In this PsychologyFor article, we explain the different types of ADHD as stated in the DSM-V and what are its symptoms and causes.
Often, the person who suffers from inattentive ADHD may present the following symptoms, at least 6 of them or 5 for adults over 17 years of age, for at least 6 months:
Does not pay enough attention to details or makes mistakes by neglecting the tasks he performs, whether at school, work or in other areas.
Difficulties maintaining attention in tasks or recreational activities.
He doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Does not follow instructions or he doesn’t finish what he starts.
Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to perform tasks that require sustained mental effort.
Lost object s necessary for certain tasks or activities.
Easily distracted with irrelevant stimuli.
Is forgetful or careless in activities, tasks and errands.
To determine that it is this type of attention deficit disorder, the aforementioned symptoms must be present in more than one area of the person’s life. Furthermore, there must be clear evidence that the present symptoms are interfering with the development and quality of life of the individual. If you have doubts, in this article, we will show you how to detect attention deficit in children.
Frequently, the person who suffers from hyperactive and impulsive ADHD presents the following symptoms, at least 6 of them or 5 for adults over 17 years of age, for at least 6 months:
Move your hands or feet excessively or moves in the seat.
He/she is usually restless in situations that require remaining seated.
Runs around or jumps excessively in inappropriate situations. In adults, subjective feelings of restlessness may be present.
It’s too loud or loud during play, leisure or social activities.
Is uncomfortable if you have to stay still for a long time. Others perceive him as restless and consider it difficult to be with these people.
He talks excessively.
Rushes answers before they finish asking things. Adults may complete each other’s sentences or butt into conversations.
Has difficulty keeping shifts or wait in a line.
Interrupts or intrudes in other people’s affairs.
When determining whether it is hyperactive and impulsive ADHD, the symptoms must be present in more than one area of the person’s life. It is also necessary to be able to prove that these symptoms are interfering or seriously affecting the person affected.
Combined attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
In the combined type of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 6 or more symptoms of those mentioned above appear, both of the symptomatology of the inattentive group and that of the hyperactivity group and impulsiveness. Furthermore, in this case, the symptoms manifest themselves under the same conditions as the previous two types.
If you need more information about it, in these articles, we tell you what ADHD is like in adults and ADHD in children.
Causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is considered a disorder with multifactorial etiology, that is, the causes that have been found and related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are a combination of both individual factors and environmental factors that influence the subject. In short, the types of ADHD arise from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, although genetics has a greater weight at 75%.
Individual factors
Individual risk factors that cause ADHD are:
Genetic factors: dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic pathways and some proteins involved in the exocytosis of neurotransmitters have been related, from the storage vesicles of neurons to the synaptic space.
Perinatal factors added to genetic vulnerability, such as, for example, low birth weight, alcohol or tobacco consumption of the mother.
Receptors and neurotransmitters: some studies report a dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex and other cortical and subcortical brain areas in which dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic pathways would be involved.
Decreased brain volume total.
Alterations in the internal capsule cerebellum and anterior corona radiata.
Inadequate resting brain activity.
Difficult temperament.
Environmental factors
Environmental risk factors
Educational styles and family interaction: If there is a lack of control, rejection and the absence of supervision predominates with a less than affectionate relationship, this will generate in the son or daughter a lack of affection and poor bonding with parents, low self-control and impulsiveness and little interest in school. A style dominated by a lack of control and supervision, with a lack of demand for affection and acceptance, will favor immature behavior with little self-control, little independence, little responsibility and greater aggressiveness.
Parental psychopathology that generates an insecure attachment.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of ADHD and their characteristics we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
Bibliography
Segura, ABJ (2009). ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, in the current diagnostic classifications (ICD 10, DSM IV–R and CFTMEA–R 2000). North Mental Health, 8(35), 30-40.
