ADHD But Not Hyper? It is Possible
From the definition of the acronym ADHD, acronym stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, it’s easy to understand why many believe that the neurodivergent issue is caused by being hyperactive. In addition, we observe kids and adults diagnosed with a constant energy level and flow of movement. This can lead to the false impression that if someone doesn’t exhibit these traits, they are unlikely to suffer from ADHD. But this might only be the case sometimes. There’s plenty to know about ADHD, and we’ll begin with a thorough history.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was believed to have been first discussed in 1798 by Sir Alexander Crichton. The Scottish doctor was aware of certain people who are often distracted and possess peculiar concentration abilities compared to others. He characterised it using the phrase: “the incapacity of attending with a necessary degree of constancy to any one object.” But Sir George Frederic Still, a British doctor, was the first to investigate what appears to be the same condition in children. He identified the need to be “an abnormal defect of moral control in children” that causes them to struggle to stay focused and control their behaviour. Although they may have problems organising tasks or focusing as an average child, they are believed to be highly intelligent.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was not yet coined. Hence, parents of children in the early years and adults who suffer from behaviours are still unsure about the behaviours they are suffering from.
The Benzedrine treatment that was first introduced could have opened the door to allow Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to be addressed with seriousness by the medical field.
ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder?
After observing the changes in behaviour caused by Benzedrine, researchers were unsure of how stimulants could impact the treatment for ADHD (then, they were not yet called this). Their research discovered that psychostimulants enhance specific neurons (like dopamine) and help improve brain function for those with ADHD.
In the 1960s In the 1960s, it was discovered that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) added what is now ADHD as a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It was not referred to as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the time. At this point, they began to use”ADHD” as a synonym for “Attention Deficit Disorder.” At the time, mental health professionals believed that Hyperactivity was not a typical sign of this neurodivergent disorder. Therefore, they classified the condition as Attention Deficit Disorder, with Hyperactivity or with no hyperactivity.
After a variety of studies and peer-reviewed studies that were peer-reviewed, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) chose to include Hyperactivity as a typical symptom and decided to cease calling it ADD.We Aren’t Always Hyperactive
The recognition by the American Psychiatric Association of the categories helped people suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder identify and better understand the signs and symptoms. While the term used to describe the neurodivergent disorder is “hyperactivity,” not all people living with ADHD tend to bounce off walls or run through the room due to excessive energy.
Many suffer from difficulties in maintaining concentration and staying on task. Other people who have ADHD are prone to impulsive decisions or are unable to wait. Of course, some are constantly in motion.
It is crucial to remember that not all sufferers of ADHD have the same issues, but not all are “hyperactive.” Aside from feeling ecstatic and filled with energy, there are many different manifestations.
Hyperactivity doesn’t have to be manifested physically to be identified as ADHD. Some may easily hide their Hyperactivity since they’ve learned how to manage it, or they could be the predominantly inattentive type. Whatever path you take in your issues, your emotions are valid, and you’re not alone.
A Quick Rundown of ADHD Categories
To fully comprehend Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, we need to first be aware of the challenges we face according to our specific category. Understanding them will give us the opportunities to manage ADHD symptoms more effectively. In previous versions, we only considered children’s symptoms as a sign of ADHD. The DSM-5 update offers enough details about adult ADHD and confirms adult struggles with ADHD. Experts categorise ADHD into three categories:
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
The signs and symptoms associated with Attention Hyperactivity Disorder in this category can be primarily physical. A person with a Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type might have issues controlling their impulses. Behaviour disorders like squirming and fidgeting are frequently related to ADHD. It is common for hyperactive people to talk and interrupt conversations or constantly be on the move.
Inattentive Type ADHD
The most frequent and intense manifestation of ADHD can manifest differently. The person who has this kind of ADHD may be often distracted, have trouble focusing on their task, and frequently forget things. They could also drift off when talking to others or dream more often than others. It is easily overlooked, mainly if a person is adept at hiding it.
Combined Type
Of all the nine symptoms of Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Type and nine symptoms of Inattentive Type, a child with Combined Type would have at least six of each category (at least 5 for adults).
According to studies, the combined kind (ADHD) can be the most commonly used type of presentation. People who suffer from all these symptoms of ADHD may have difficulty balancing multiple tasks, problems with hearing, and can be forgetful.
Before getting identified with an ADHD type, you need to consult a licensed mental health professional to make an official ADHD diagnosis.
The ADHD Stereotype
Due to the long-standing nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Many misconceptions could be attributed to this neurodivergent condition. Many people think of an infant squirming in his chair and moving his legs in a trance. But that’s only the beginning of the ADHD iceberg. There are a myriad of issues that people who have ADHD might have to contend with. The struggles of people not attentive to ADHD are often dismissed as unrelated. This is why eliminating stigmas associated with ADHD is crucial.
However, this inattentive kind of ADHD is often ignored because they are challenging to identify. This could lead to lots of people struggling continuously with inattentive ADHD and who can live their entire lives without being diagnosed. The possibility of being diagnosed with ADHD, however not showing hyperactive symptoms, is explained as follows:
Masking Hyperactive ADHD Traits
Hiding predominantly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms can be a person’s way of avoiding conflict or judgement brought by their behaviour and actions. It may also be a method to deal with their issues. They may pretend that everything is good while concealing their hyperactive characteristics. A few indicators of masking hyperactive ADHD symptoms include:
Disguising fidgeting in places that nobody can tell
They are trying their best not to disrupt conversations and keep their comments to their own
Releases all the energy suppressed when you are alone or there is no one around
The fear of hiding creative ideas is a source of anxiety of being embarrassed
The effort required to disguise the Hyperactivity within the ADHD brain can be exhausting and lead to the possibility of becoming imposter-like. This is why we build strategies to appear as if we’re someone else by concealing our problems due to fear of the perception of others around us.
Inattentive Symptoms of ADHD
Inattention-related symptoms in people can still be classified as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, even though they’re not physically active. If we fall under the most inattentive form of ADHD, Hyperactivity could still occur; however, this time, it’s within the ADHD brains. The brain’s overly active activities could cause various difficulties in our everyday life. The symptoms of inattention could include:
It isn’t easy to keep track of the time and schedule
Are easily distracted in classes or other activities. This could lead to learning difficulties.
It is challenging to remain focused, and the tendency to make impulsive mistakes.
Inventing a thousand ideas but having difficulty completing the tasks
These inattentive ADHD symptoms may not be as apparent as the hyperactive-impulsive ones, which makes it more challenging to diagnose. However, this doesn’t mean their problems aren’t valid. People with primarily unfocused manifestations of ADHD still deserve the aid and help they need.
