Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsExpectations and ManagementLink Between ADHD and ODDRisk FactorsManagement TipsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Expectations and Management
Link Between ADHD and ODD
Risk Factors
Management Tips
Treatment
Although it’s difficult to say what percentage of people with ADHD have combined type, one small study estimates that about 70% of adults with ADHD have combined type.Treating combined-type ADHD can be challenging since there are two different symptom sets. However, this type is not necessarily worse or more disruptive than other presentations of ADHD.
This article will review the symptoms of combined-type ADHD, as well as treatment options and how to cope.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
Treating combined-type ADHD can be challenging since there are two different symptom sets. However, this type is not necessarily worse or more disruptive than other presentations of ADHD.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Combined Type ADHD?
Persons with ADHD can present with symptoms that are predominantly inattentive or predominately hyperactive-impulsive. People with combined type ADHD meet the criteria for both sets of symptoms. This means they must experience at least six symptoms of each subtype.
Inattentive Symptoms
People who have predominantlyinattentive ADHDmostly have trouble paying attention and following through. The symptoms of inattentiveness include:
Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
People who primarily havehyperactiveor impulsive-type ADHD often have more physical symptoms. These can include:
Is Combined-Type ADHD Considered a Disability?Under theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA), severe ADHD is considered a developmental disability. To qualify, the ADHD symptoms must significantly impact one’s ability to perform important functions or major life activities.
Is Combined-Type ADHD Considered a Disability?
Under theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA), severe ADHD is considered a developmental disability. To qualify, the ADHD symptoms must significantly impact one’s ability to perform important functions or major life activities.
ADHD Criteria for Diagnosis
What to Expect from Someone With Combined Type ADHD
People with combined-type ADHD are often impulsive and hyper. They might have difficulty reaching their full potential at school or work because their symptoms interfere with their ability to complete tasks.In some other cases, they have trouble making friends, although many kids with ADHD form meaningful friendships.
Children with ADHD are at increased risk for other conditions, including learning disorders,depression, anxiety, or behavioral problems. Because of that, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all kids with ADHD be screened for additional conditions. Knowing all the conditions that a child is navigating can help you develop a treatment plan that will work for them.
You should also work with your child and their therapist to develop healthy ways of coping with excess energy orimpulsiveness. Kids with ADHD are at increased risk for injury. Be proactive in talking to your child about safety measures, like always wearing a helmet while riding a bike.
How the ADHD Brain Is Wired Differently
What Is the Link Between ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder?
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)is a behavior disorder that commonly occurs with ADHD. Those with ODD exhibit patterns of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures.
Symptoms of ODD may include:
What Are the Risk Factors for ADHD?
Researchers aren’t sure what causes ADHD (or any specific subtype), although it’s believed that bothgenetic and environmental factorsare at play.
Other possible risk factors include:
There’s also no way to prevent combined type ADHD, so after a diagnosis, it’s best to focus on managing symptoms and finding a treatment plan that works for you.
Tips for Managing Combined ADHD
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for ADHD. However, there are a number of coping strategies that can help with ADHD symptoms.
To support children with ADHD, effective strategies include:
Tips for managing adult ADHD include:
How to Treat Combined Type ADHD
Combined typeADHD is treatedwith medications that can help reduce symptoms, and behavioral adaptations that can help a person control the symptoms they still have.
If you’re the parent of a child with combined-type ADHD, you can also benefit from training and therapy that teach you how to more effectively engage with your child. In addition, you can request that their school help make behavioral accommodations to help your child succeed.
Is ADHD a Disability?
Medication treatments
In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of stimulant and non-stimulant treatments.
Behavioral interventions
People, especially children, with combined type ADHD benefit from behavioral interventions that help them succeed at school and in other settings. These can include:
Types of Mental Health Therapy
Summary
Combined type ADHD is one of three presentations of ADHD laid out in the DSM-5. To be diagnosed with combined type ADHD, a person needs to exhibit both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms.
Although a person with combined-type ADHD has two types of symptoms, their ADHD is not necessarily worse than that of people with a single presentation. Medications and behavioral interventions can help people with combined-type ADHD succeed in school, work, and social settings.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.Salvi V, Migliarese G, Venturi V, et al.ADHD in adults: clinical subtypes and associated characteristics.Riv Psichiatr. 2019;54(2):84-89. doi:10.1708/3142.31249AAFP National Research.DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Final Regulatory Assessment, Final Rule - Amendment of ADA Title II and Title III Regulations to Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Diagnosing ADHD.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.MedlinePlus.Oppositional defiant disorder.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Treatment of ADHD.National Alliance on Mental Illness.What parents can do help children living with ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Succeeding in the workplace.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Behavioral interventions for ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Mindfulness can help you manage ADHD at any age.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.Salvi V, Migliarese G, Venturi V, et al.ADHD in adults: clinical subtypes and associated characteristics.Riv Psichiatr. 2019;54(2):84-89. doi:10.1708/3142.31249AAFP National Research.DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Final Regulatory Assessment, Final Rule - Amendment of ADA Title II and Title III Regulations to Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Diagnosing ADHD.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.MedlinePlus.Oppositional defiant disorder.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Treatment of ADHD.National Alliance on Mental Illness.What parents can do help children living with ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Succeeding in the workplace.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Behavioral interventions for ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Mindfulness can help you manage ADHD at any age.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.Salvi V, Migliarese G, Venturi V, et al.ADHD in adults: clinical subtypes and associated characteristics.Riv Psichiatr. 2019;54(2):84-89. doi:10.1708/3142.31249AAFP National Research.DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Final Regulatory Assessment, Final Rule - Amendment of ADA Title II and Title III Regulations to Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Diagnosing ADHD.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.MedlinePlus.Oppositional defiant disorder.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Treatment of ADHD.National Alliance on Mental Illness.What parents can do help children living with ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Succeeding in the workplace.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Behavioral interventions for ADHD.Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Mindfulness can help you manage ADHD at any age.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
Salvi V, Migliarese G, Venturi V, et al.ADHD in adults: clinical subtypes and associated characteristics.Riv Psichiatr. 2019;54(2):84-89. doi:10.1708/3142.31249
AAFP National Research.DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.Final Regulatory Assessment, Final Rule - Amendment of ADA Title II and Title III Regulations to Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Diagnosing ADHD.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.
MedlinePlus.Oppositional defiant disorder.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).Treatment of ADHD.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.What parents can do help children living with ADHD.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Succeeding in the workplace.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Behavioral interventions for ADHD.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Mindfulness can help you manage ADHD at any age.
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