The Three Types of ADHD Explained

January 15th, 2026

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ADHD isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can look very different depending on the ADHD type you have. Some people with ADHD show no hyperactivity whatsoever. For others, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the primary ways in which symptoms manifest. That’s why having accurate information about ADHD matters.

Not everyone has a comprehensive understanding of ADHD, even some medical providers are not experts on the condition (which is why it is best to see a specialist).

Learning about the three types of ADHD can help empower people who have or might have the condition–as well as those around them– better understand what it really means to have ADHD.

Equipping yourself with a better understanding of the condition can be the first step towards a proper diagnosis, treatment, and support. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways:

There are three different types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined type.
Understanding what each type of ADHD looks like may explain why people don’t always fit stereotypes surrounding ADHD.
An ADHD diagnosis requires a complete diagnostic evaluation from a qualified medical or mental health provider.
Getting a professional evaluation can help you understand your ADHD type and find the right approach to treatment.

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder.[1] It affects the way the brain functions and develops. Brain differences in people with ADHD can impact attention, control, emotions, working memory, planning, and organization, among other areas.

Despite the name, ADHD doesn’t necessarily mean that you “lack” attention. Instead, it makes it harder to regulate your attention or direct it to certain activities.

While it might be difficult to complete lengthy paperwork, instructions, lectures, or multi-step tasks, you may find yourself hyper-focused on other things. People with ADHD might also rush their work or struggle to transition from one task to another. Still, these are not the only possible signs of ADHD.

Contrary to popular belief, there are multiple types of ADHD! To break through stereotypes about what the condition looks like and encourage an accurate diagnosis, it is important to be aware of different ways ADHD can manifest and how to distinguish them from one another.

Types of ADHD

The three types of ADHD are:

Predominantly Inattentive
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
Combined type

ADHD doesn’t look the same on everyone, which can be confusing! One person with ADHD might be overly talkative and hyperactive, constantly jumping from one activity to another. In contrast, another person with ADHD might be quiet and easily distracted, struggling to start, finish, or transition between tasks.

Professionals can specify whether a person has primarily inattentive presentation, primarily hyperactive-impulsive presentation, or combined presentation of ADHD for this reason.

Inattentive ADHD

To meet the criteria for inattentive ADHD, someone aged 17+ must have five or more of the following symptoms (or 6+, if they are under age 17):

Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities (e.g., keeping belongings in order, following steps in the correct sequence during a task, meeting deadlines, or managing time).
Often struggles to give attention to detail and makes mistakes that seem careless at work, school, or in other activities (e.g., overlooking or missing information).
Often has trouble sustaining attention on tasks and activities (e.g., remaining focused during meetings, lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).
Often avoids, dislikes, or hesitates to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort (e.g, completing forms or reviewing lengthy papers).
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (their mind may appear to be elsewhere, even without obvious distractions).
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish tasks at work, school, or in the home, such as chores.
Often loses items required for tasks and activities (e.g., wallets, keys, glasses, work materials, toiletries, phone).
Is often distracted easily by external stimuli (in adolescents and adults, this may include unrelated thoughts).
Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Note: A person with inattentive ADHD does not need to have any symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity to meet the criteria for the disorder.

Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD can look entirely different from primarily inattentive ADHD. People with hyperactive ADHD must experience either 5+ of the following symptoms (if aged 17+) or 6+ if they are younger than 17:

Often talks excessively.
Often has trouble waiting for their turn.
Often fidgets, taps with hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
Often blurts out answers before a question has been completed.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., “butts” into other people’s conversations).
Often gets up in situations where remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaving seat in the classroom, office, or workplace).
Often runs or climbs in inappropriate situations (may be limited to feeling restless in adolescents or adults).
Is often “on the go,” acting as though they are “driven by a motor.”
Is often unable to participate in leisure activities quietly.

ADHD Combined Type

Some people will also experience a combination of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms, this is known as combined type. To meet the criteria for combined type ADHD, you must have enough symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

For adults, this means that a person with ADHD combined type will have five or more symptoms of inattention and five or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. For those under age 17, six or more symptoms in both categories are required.

What Does Each ADHD Type Look Like in Daily Life?

Part of what can make it tough to understand ADHD is that it can be difficult to translate what the symptoms listed in the diagnostic criteria actually look like in everyday life.

In daily life, inattentive ADHD might involve:

Starting tasks, but not finishing them.
Zoning out or getting distracted during conversations.
Missing parts of instructions or overlooking key steps when completing a task, potentially leading to errors (e.g., mistakes at work, school, or during other activities, like completing forms).
Procrastinating or avoiding tasks, often because they feel overwhelming due to their length or the sustained focus they require (e.g., large cleaning tasks, paperwork).
Difficulty with organization (e.g., trouble maintaining a tidy home, arranging your workspace, or planning - some may have a cluttered desk, home, or car).
Difficulty with time management (e.g., losing track of time, even if you intend not to, or underestimating how long a task will take).
Forgetting about important tasks, like paying bills, going to appointments, or running errands.
Procrastination or avoidance of tasks.
Misplacing or losing items frequently.

Hyperactive ADHD can look like:

Feeling a “buzzing” energy.
A constant need for activity or stimulation.
Rushing through tasks or jumping from one task to another.
Making quick decisions without thinking them through.
Engaging in risky or reckless activities, such as unsafe driving or impulse buying.
Struggling to wait for your turn, whether in line (e.g., at the store or bank) or during conversations.
An inability to participate in leisure activities quietly (e.g., tapping, talking, singing, whistling).
Interrupting, likely before you have time to think about it or stop yourself.
Being very talkative.

Finally, people with ADHD combined type will display a mix of both types of symptoms.

How are the 3 Types of ADHD Diagnosed?

All types of ADHD are diagnosed via the criteria for the condition in the most up-to-date variation of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).[2] Right now–as of 2025–that is the DSM-5-TR.

The ADHD testing process involves:

A comprehensive look at your personal and medical history.
A series of questions about your symptoms, including when they began and how they affect your life.
Ruling out other possible causes of symptoms (e.g., physical or mental health conditions, such as an anxiety disorder).

Even if someone is diagnosed later in life, ADHD symptoms must start by age 12 for a diagnosis to occur. They must also be present in two or more settings (e.g., work, home, social activities) and interfere with functioning.

Can ADHD Types Change Over Time?

The way ADHD presents can, most certainly, change over time.[3] Many people with ADHD find that their symptoms shift as they get older. For example, external symptoms of hyperactivity, such as running around the classroom as a child, might turn into internal restlessness in adulthood.

Fidgeting could become more subtle. There may be an increase in frustration as symptoms interfere with adult life. That’s part of why finding proper treatment and support matters.

Sometimes, people find that different approaches and strategies are a better fit as they age and symptom presentation changes. Providers who specialize in ADHD treatment can help you discover what works best for you.

Understanding Your ADHD Type

Wondering what type of ADHD you have? There’s only one way to find out. While an online ADHD screening can be a first step toward realizing that it’s time to see a specialist who can assess you for ADHD, it cannot replace a diagnosis.

Getting a full ADHD evaluation from a qualified healthcare provider can help you learn what type of ADHD you have. Once you know, you can work together to gain a better understanding of your ADHD type, and–perhaps most importantly–find the tools you need to thrive.

Take our free online ADHD test to find out whether you may be experiencing symptoms of ADHD. This test is meant to help you determine whether seeing a mental health professional for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation may be beneficial.

If you receive an ADHD diagnosis following an evaluation from a licensed healthcare professional, treatment may involve any combination of counseling, medication, lifestyle changes, and specific strategies (e.g., breaking large tasks down into smaller steps) to address your unique symptom manifestation.

ADHD Treatment and Testing in Chicago

Clarity Clinic provides accurate ADHD treatment and testing in Chicago! We proudly offer in-person and online care options, ranging from therapy and medication management to specialized diagnostic services for conditions like ADHD.

Working with adults, adolescents, and children, we’re here to make sure that your symptoms aren’t overlooked. Explore any of our convenient clinic locations throughout IL to find an ADHD specialist near you (Loop, River North, Lakeview Belmont, Lakeview Broadway, Evanston, and Arlington Heights).

To contact Clarity Clinic for ADHD treatment and testing, call us at (312) 815-9660 or click the button below to schedule a consultation.

Find a Provider

Related Readings:

Types of ADHD FAQs

References:

[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Table 7, DSM-IV to DSM-5 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comparison - DSM-5 changes - NCBI bookshelf. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t3/

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-a). ADHD in adults: An overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/articles/adhd-across-the-lifetime.html

[3] What is ADHD?. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4784-attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd

Written byPavan Prasad, MD

The Three Types of ADHD Explained

Key Takeaways:

What is ADHD?