What should you know about types of ADHD?

The predominantly inattentive presentation may involve losing track of tasks, forgetfulness, difficulty organising work, or trouble sustaining attention. The predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation may involve restlessness, frequent interruption, acting quickly, or difficulty waiting. The combined presentation includes clinically significant features from both groups. Everyone can be distracted or restless sometimes; ADHD assessment considers persistence, impact, development, and whether symptoms occur in more than one setting. [Difficulty Concentrating](/symptoms/difficulty-concentrating/), [Irritability](/symptoms/irritability/), and [Feeling Anxious](/symptoms/feeling-anxious/) can also occur for many other reasons.

A clinician may ask about childhood patterns, school or work demands, relationships, sleep, mood, substance use, and physical health. They may seek information from someone who knows you well and consider other explanations. Support can include practical routines, environmental changes, psychological strategies, coaching, and prescribed medicine when appropriate. A [Mental Health Assessment](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/mental-health-assessment/) helps build an individual plan rather than assigning a type from one symptom.

Arrange an assessment when attention, restlessness, impulsive decisions, or emotional regulation problems repeatedly disrupt learning, work, relationships, driving, or daily tasks. Seek urgent help for thoughts of self-harm, severe agitation, confusion, or an immediate safety risk. Sudden new concentration problems also need medical review because sleep loss, medicines, mood conditions, or physical illness may be involved.

Ask which symptoms support each presentation, what information is needed from earlier life, what alternatives should be checked, and which non-medication supports could help now.