Attetion-deficit hyperactivity disorder may seem like a condition specific to children, but it can continue into adulthood. While some adults experience full remission,a 2017 NIH study shows 12.1% of people with childhood ADHD still meet the criteria at age 55% to 80% no longer meet the criteria, they still exhibit impairing ADHD symptoms.

Doctors may diagnose different types of ADHD that affects you can help with tailoring the right treatment, developing coping skills, and communicating your needs to ohters. This article will review the various conditions to provide a deeper understanding.

What are the Different Types of Adult ADHD?

An ADHD diagnose is typically characterized by restlessness, a lack of focus, and hyperactivity. But there are various types of ADHD mental disorders that have different symptoms, as follows:

Predominantly Inattentive ADHD Presentation

With this condition, there’s more of lack of focus than hyperactivity. It was initially known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) without the hyperactivity, but the umbrella term ADHD was later adopted, considering most with the condition are on the spectrum.

Adults diagnose with predominaly inattentive presentation may exhibit the following symptoms:

  • Often misses details, makes careless mistakes
  • Starts tasks and projects but struggles to finish them
  • Frequently loses or forgets things
  • Drifts off during conversations
  • Constantly needs reminders
  • Difficulty maintaining focus, planning ahead, organizing tasks, and managing time
  • May appear spacey or lost in their thoughts

Predominantly Hyperactive Impulsive ADHD Presentation

Individuals with hyperactive impulsive symptoms show greater degrees of restlessness, while attention issues are present but less dominant. Common characteristics include:

  • Always feeling ‘on-the-go’ and unable to relax
  • Fidgeting, doodling, bouncing legs, constantly moving around
  • Talks a lot, may interrupt others
  • Acts quickly on urges without planning
  • Difficulty waiting for anything and sitting through long meetings
  • Seeks constant stimulation

Combined Type ADHD

Adults with this combined ADHD condition show both hyperactive and impulsive symptoms and inattentive ADHD characteristics. They may exhibit the following behaviors:

  • Inattention issues such as disorganization, forgetfulness, and losing track of tasks
  • Hyper-impulsive behaviors like restlessness, talking over others, and making quick decisions
  • A generally chaotic life with mood swings, shifting interests, and unfinished tasks

Childhood vs. Adult AdHD

While ADHD can carry on into adulthood, symptoms typically change with age. Here are some examples:

Hyperactivity

  • Kids: Run around, climb, can’t stay seated
  • Adults: Feel internally ‘keyed up’, talk a lot, fidget, switch tasks constantly, and overbook themselves

Impulsivity

  • Kids: Blurt out answers, have difficulty waiting for turns, and grab things
  • Adult: Interrupt others, engage in impulsive behaviors and risky driving, quit jobs on a whim, make fast decisions without thinking of the consequences

Inattention

  • Kids: Trouble focusing, losing homework, daydreaming
  • Adults: Missing deadlines, chaotic calendar, trouble paying bills on time, starting tasks but never completing them, chronic lateness

How to Manage ADHD Symptoms

An ADHD mental health condition can interfere with personal and professional relationships, making it difficult to function in many situations. However, treatment is available. Here are some common techniques:

ADHD Medications

Medications are a first-line treatment for most adults. They target chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to improve executive function, impulse control, and focus. Commonly prescribed drugs include:

  • Stimulant Medications: Drugs like Adderall and Ritalin boost dopamine and norepinephrine to improve attention, help people think before acting, and strengthen working memory
  • Non-Stimulant Medications: These are more focused on boosting norepinephrine than dopamine and may be prescribed when addiction is a risk or when stimulants aren’t working. They reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity, help with emotional reactivity and irritability, and can aid with sleep.

Therapy

Various evidence-based therapies may be integrated into the treatment plan. A mental health professional will determine what is best for their patient. Popular treatment options include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy teaches organizational skills, problem-solving, and challenges negative thought processes, helping ADHD-diagnosed individuals improve personal and professional relationships.
  • Mindfulness Therapies: Techniques such as meditation, deep-breathing exercises, and yoga help with impulse control and reduce hasty decision-making.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Improves emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal relationships while reducing impulsivity and depression.
  • ADHD Training and Psychoeducation: This approach involves practical skills training and family and marital counseling.
  • Support Groups: Group therapy can help you learn from others and understand you’re not alone.

Lifestyle Changes

Therapists may also recommend lifestyle changes, including the following:

  • Exercise: Physical activity increases dopamine and norepinephrine naturally while supporting brain cell connections and blood flow and lowering stress levels.
  • Nutrition: Adults with ADHD should eat regularly, as hunger fuels irritability and inattention. Protein is recommended because it stabilizes blood sugar and provides amino acids for neurotransmitter synthesis. Complex carbs and fiber steady mood and energy, while healthy fats may improve attention and mood.
  • Sleep: Regular sleep restores the prefrontal cortex, improving planning, working memory, and impulse control. It also regulates dopamine, stabilizes mood, and enhances learning.
  • Accommodations: An ADHD coach may recommend timers, planners, notes, noise-cancelling headphones, and task-planning apps to support the sustained mental effort needed to focus.

Getting Evaluated and Treated

You may want to get evaluated for ADHD if you experience persistent issues in school and work that have carried on since childhood. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and some primary care providers are trained to diagnose ADHD. They will conduct an assessment, which may invovle:

  • Comparing your symptoms against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual to determine if you meet ADHD criteria
  • Assessing other aspects of your mental and physical health to examine how co-occurring disorders and conditions may contribute to your emotional well-being
  • Asking general lifestyle questions to learn how environmental factors may impact deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD

Your medical professional will then tailor an ADHD treatment plan according to your needs.

BNI Treatment Centers Offers Support for Mental Health Needs

At BNI, we udnerstand the struggles of dealing with ADHD. We are well-versed in treating inattentive-type ADHD and hyperactive, impulsive-type ADHD. Our experience with teens has helped us trace the condition from its root, providing a specialized approach for adults.

Our techniques are evidence-based and provided by licensed California clinicians. Most insurance plans are accepted. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive services.

FAQs

In DSM-based criteria, many people with ADHD require sustained mental effort to focus on tasks. As a result, they quickly become mentally exhausted and are unable to finish projects. Their condition generally fuels procastination or avoidance in starting tasks.

SAMHSA develops guideline, educational materials, and grant programs that provide access to mental health services, including ADHD care, with a focus on those with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues. The organization seeks to expand treatment availability, promote best practices, and remove stigmas.

If you suspect you may have ADHD, you should start tracking symptoms to see how affect work, relationships, and daily life. If you feel the impact is considerable, schedule an appoinment with a mental health professional who specializes in ADHD care. Bring relevant documents and information so they can fully explore your medical  history and make an accurate diagnosis.

While lifestyle changes, such as better sleep, regular exercise, and balanced nutrition, can’t fully manage ADHD, they can make a meaningful difference and may even decrease your reliance on medications.

Many adoults, and especially women, learn to comensate for ADHD, making it more likely to present as quiet inattention, overwhelm, anxiety, or depression, rather than disruptive hyperactivity or impulsivity. Therefore, it is often misdiagnosed or overlooked.

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    Dr. Aram Keshishyan

    Dr. Aram Keshishyan, PsyD.

    Aram Keshishyan, PsyD. is a bilingual, Armenian-speaking, licensed clinical-forensic psychologist who has been practicing since 2013. Dr. Keshishyan emigrated to the United States at the age of 1 and grew up in the highly diverse Los Angeles County area. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master of Arts and Doctorate of Psychology degrees in Clinical-Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University, Alhambra.

    Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh

    Arastou Aminzadeh, MD

    Dr. Aminzadeh co-founded BNI to provide patients with exceptional and complete care that goes beyond the regular standards. Each individual is unique and based on each person's genetic makeup, some have a more painful response to challenges that arise on their journey and need assistance to get back on track.

    General Clinic FAQs

    BNI Clinics evaluate and treat a wide range of neurological and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, memory issues, migraines, sleep disorders, and brain-related performance concerns. Each patient receives a personalized care plan from licensed clinicians.

    All assessments and treatments at BNI Clinics are carried out by qualified, licensed healthcare professionals, including neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and certified therapists. Our team follows evidence-based guidelines and continues to undergo ongoing clinical training.

    Diagnosis is done through a structured, clinical process that may include a physical exam, neurological evaluation, mental health screening, cognitive testing, and, when appropriate, advanced diagnostic tools. We use validated, research-backed methods aligned with global clinical standards.

    Most patients do not need a referral. You may schedule an appointment directly. However, some insurance plans may have referral requirements, and our team can guide you based on your coverage.

    Your first appointment includes a detailed consultation with a clinician to review your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and goals. You will receive a clear explanation of any recommended tests, next steps, and treatment options.

    Yes. All therapies, medications, and clinical protocols offered at BNI Clinics follow evidence-based standards, supported by current research, clinical guidelines, and real-world patient outcomes.

    Many patients come to BNI Clinics after trying other providers or treatment options. Our multidisciplinary team can review your past records, reassess your condition, and offer a more comprehensive or targeted care plan.

    Treatment duration varies based on the condition and severity. Some patients see improvement within weeks, while chronic or complex cases may require longer monitoring. Your clinician will outline a realistic timeline during your consultation.

    Yes. We follow all required medical privacy regulations, including HIPAA (if US-based). Your personal and medical information is securely stored and never shared without your consent.

    Yes. After your initial diagnosis and treatment plan, our clinicians schedule regular follow-ups to track progress, adjust treatment, and ensure long-term wellness.