The 7 Types of ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is often oversimplified as a condition of distraction and hyperactivity. Did you know there are actually several subtypes that look and feel quite different? By understanding the nuances of ADHD, you can better understand yourself or someone you care about, and learn how to work with your brain instead of against it.
This article explores the seven distinct types of ADHD, how they might show up in daily life, and what you can do once you recognize your patterns. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or are just beginning to explore the possibility, this guide is designed to be both validating and practical. Plus, there’s a self-reflection quiz at the end to help you identify which type(s) might apply to you.
1. Classic ADHD (Hyperactive-Impulsive Type)
This is the image most people think of when they hear “ADHD.” It includes both hyperactivity and impulsivity, often without much inattention.
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Traits: Fidgety, impulsive, energetic, constantly in motion
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Daily Life: You may talk a lot, interrupt others, or feel restless sitting still. It can be hard to pause before acting.
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Challenges: Trouble with impulse control, difficulty sitting through meetings, and frequent interruptions in conversations.
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Common Strengths: High energy, enthusiasm, charisma, and quick decision-making
2. Inattentive ADHD (Previously ADD)
This is often missed, especially in women and girls, because it lacks hyperactivity. Instead, it shows up as mental wandering and forgetfulness.
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Traits: Distractible, forgetful, mentally disorganized
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Daily Life: You may zone out in conversations, misplace items, or struggle to finish tasks even when they matter to you.
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Challenges: Losing focus, procrastination, forgetfulness, underachievement despite high potential
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Common Strengths: Creativity, deep thinking, thoughtfulness, and quiet observation
3. Overfocused ADHD
Overfocused ADHD looks almost opposite of the typical ADHD stereotype. Instead of bouncing from task to task, you get stuck—especially on negative thoughts or routines.
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Traits: Rigid thinking, obsessive loops, difficulty shifting attention
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Daily Life: You may get stuck on negative thoughts, overanalyze, or resist transitions even when they’re necessary.
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Challenges: Difficulty letting go of control, perfectionism, and holding grudges
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Common Strengths: Persistence, attention to detail, loyalty, and strong values
4. Temporal Lobe ADHD
This subtype includes mood instability and memory issues, sometimes misdiagnosed as a mood disorder.
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Traits: Mood swings, memory issues, quick temper
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Daily Life: You may have unpredictable emotional outbursts or struggle to remember important details or conversations.
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Challenges: Difficulty regulating emotions, forgetfulness, and impulsive decision-making
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Common Strengths: Intuition, emotional insight, vivid imagination
5. Limbic ADHD
Limbic ADHD often overlaps with symptoms of depression or low mood. It’s more internalized and can include sadness and a lack of motivation.
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Traits: Low energy, chronic sadness, low self-esteem
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Daily Life: You may feel easily overwhelmed, unmotivated, or pessimistic even when there’s no obvious trigger.
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Challenges: Lack of motivation, chronic self-doubt, and difficulty starting tasks
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Common Strengths: Empathy, depth, emotional intelligence, and resilience
6. Ring of Fire ADHD
Named after an intense pattern seen in brain scans, Ring of Fire ADHD includes sensitivity and reactivity. People with this subtype often feel everything more intensely.
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Traits: Intense emotions, sensitivity to stimuli, easily overwhelmed
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Daily Life: You may feel flooded by sights, sounds, emotions, and overreact strongly to things others brush off.
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Challenges: Emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivity, and feeling misunderstood
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Common Strengths: Passion, intensity, empathy, and creative expression
7. Anxious ADHD
This subtype combines ADHD traits with anxiety, making it hard to separate the two. People may appear avoidant, perfectionistic, or highly self-critical.
Traits: Worry, tension, fear of failure
Daily Life: You may procrastinate out of fear, avoid risks, or constantly second-guess yourself, even with small decisions.
Challenges: Perfectionism, overthinking, difficulty relaxing
Common Strengths: Caution, preparation, insight, and a thoughtful nature
Take this quick self-check quiz to reflect on which subtype(s) might fit you best. Choose the option that resonates most often in your daily life.
This quiz is for self-reflection only and is not a diagnostic tool. ADHD is complex, and many people experience traits across multiple subtypes. If you see yourself in more than one area, you’re not alone! Working with a mental health professional can help clarify your unique brain profile and support your growth.
No matter your subtype, ADHD is not a character flaw. It’s a brain-based difference with both challenges and strengths. With the right support, awareness, and strategies, you can create systems that honor your brain and empower your relationships, work, and daily life.
What Type Are You? 🤔
Take this extended self-reflection quiz to explore which subtype(s) might resonate most with your daily experience. Choose the option that feels most like you in each situation.
1. When working on a task, I usually…
A. Start quickly, but jump to another task before finishing
B. Get distracted and lose track of what I was doing
C. Fixate on small details and can’t let things go
D. Struggle to remember what I was supposed to do
E. Feel like giving up before I begin
F. Feel emotionally overwhelmed and overstimulated
G. Worry about getting it wrong, so I don’t start at all
2. In conversations, I often…
A. Interrupt or change the subject impulsively
B. Zone out or mentally drift away
C. Ruminate on what I or the other person said afterward
D. Forget key points of the conversation
E. Feel invisible or unsure how to contribute
F. Feel overstimulated or emotionally flooded
G. Worry I said the wrong thing and replay it later
3. When I’m emotionally overwhelmed, I tend to…
A. Snap or lash out impulsively
B. Shut down or disappear into distractions
C. Overthink everything and replay it in my head
D. Cry or explode, then forget what triggered it
E. Withdraw and assume I’ve disappointed everyone
F. Get physically tense or overstimulated by my environment
G. Panic or feel paralyzed by anxiety
4. My biggest challenges at work or school are…
A. Staying seated and focused
B. Keeping track of assignments or tasks
C. Letting go of control or perfectionism
D. Managing my emotions and memory
E. Finding motivation and self-worth
F. Avoiding sensory overload or burnout
G. Dealing with performance anxiety or fear of judgment
5. In relationships, I often…
A. Act before thinking, then regret it
B. Forget important details, dates, or follow-ups
C. Struggle to move on from conflict
D. Feel misunderstood or overly sensitive
E. Feel unworthy or like I’m always letting people down
F. Get overwhelmed and emotionally reactive
G. Worry constantly about rejection or not being enough
6. My brain feels most out of control when…
A. I’m excited and impulsive
B. I’m surrounded by distractions
C. I’m obsessing about a problem I can’t fix
D. I’m trying to recall something important
E. I’m feeling emotionally low or sluggish
F. I’m overstimulated and can’t shut it off
G. I’m caught in a spiral of anxiety or overthinking
7. When I try to relax, I…
A. Get bored and need movement
B. End up scrolling or zoning out without meaning to
C. Can’t stop mentally replaying the day
D. Forget how to actually relax
E. Don’t feel like I deserve to relax
F. Feel uncomfortable with silence or stillness
G. Worry I should be doing something else
8. I tend to thrive most when…
A. I’m active and moving
B. I have freedom and flexibility
C. I have structure and clarity
D. I’m emotionally connected and validated
E. I feel encouraged and safe
F. I’m in a calm, sensory-friendly space
G. I’m prepared, organized, and not rushed
Scoring:
Mostly A’s = Classic ADHD
Mostly B’s = Inattentive ADHD
Mostly C’s = Overfocused ADHD
Mostly D’s = Temporal Lobe ADHD
Mostly E’s = Limbic ADHD
Mostly F’s = Ring of Fire ADHD
Mostly G’s = Anxious ADHD