|| First published: | Last edited: || 📚🕒 Reading Time: 2 minutes ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a lifelong, hereditary1 neurological condition.
A person with ADHD can be inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive in their internal mental processes as well as their outward presentation, from speech to behaviour patterns. They can also be a combined subtype with characteristics from both sets.
The names of ADHD
ADHD has an infamous misnomer, as even the current descriptor is not accurate to the condition.
- There is no attention deficit, but rather an interest-based cognition, as ADHDers have plenty of attention when a task is stimulating enough (just think of hyperfocus).
- Hyperactivity is also just one of the subtypes, and not every ADHDer presents hyperactive traits.
- Thirdly, ADHD is not a disorder but a condition, as the consensus moves more and more toward neurovariety. Neurovariety means that neurodivergent conditions are not illnesses that need to be cured, but naturally existing variations of the human brain.
How the names and understanding of ADHD evolved
- 1798 — Mental restlessness
- 1930s — Minimal brain damage
- 1960s — Minimal brain dysfunction
- 1968 — Hyperkinetic reaction of childhood
- 1980 — Attention-deficit disorder (ADD). This is still a version that some people use, even though it’s been officially changed since 1987.
- 1987 — Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (1987)
- 1994 — ADHD with 3 subtypes: hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive and a combined subtype
- 2013 — ADHD with 3 symptom presentations, with the understanding that an individual can shift through the three presentations and the symptoms can present differently at different stages of their life. 2
Related terms
Executive dysfunction
Executive functions are essential, they help us make plans, stay organized, pay attention, and keep our emotions in check. It plays a big role in making decisions and adapting to new situations.
Executive dysfunction can happen when these processes have some impairment.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactive Type is one of the ADHD subtypes. Hyperactivity can present in physical and mental symptoms. Hyperactive traits include fidgeting and other sensory-seeking behaviours, interrupting others when they talk or finishing their sentences for them, impulsive actions and thrill-seeking behaviour (with a reduced sense of danger), having many …
Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus is a cognitive state characterized by an intense concentration and absorption in a particular task or activity to the point of excluding or neglecting other stimuli or responsibilities.
Inattentive
Inattentive is one of the ADHD subtypes, also known as the distracted type. Inattentive traits include daydreaming, forgetfulness (not remembering the question while answering, forgetting things at home, following instructions with multiple sub-tasks), and difficulty focusing on a task that’s not engaging enough.
PMDD
PMDD is Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder, and refers to a severe, disabling form of PMS.
Stimming
Stimming (also known as self-stimulating) is a common sensory-seeking neurodivergent behaviour. It means stimulating yourself in a repetitive manner to self-soothe, regulate, or express excitement. Stimming is common both in ADHD and autism.
Stimming movements, however, are common in all human beings. Everybody stims, whether it’s chewing the end …
