There are 3 types of ADHD - Inattentive, Hyperactive/impulsive, and Combination

Inattentive type

If you have this type of ADHD, you may experience more symptoms of inattention than those of impulsivity and hyperactivity. You may experience impulse control or hyperactivity at times. But these aren’t the main characteristics of inattentive ADHD.

People who experience inattentive behavior often:

• miss details and are distracted easily
• get bored quickly
• have trouble focusing on a single task
• have difficulty organizing thoughts and learning new information
• lose pencils, papers, or other items needed to complete a task
• don’t seem to listen
• move slowly and appear as if they’re daydreaming
• process information more slowly and less accurately than others
• have trouble following directions

More girls are diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD than boys.

Hyperactive-impulsive type

This type of ADHD is characterized by symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. People with this type can display signs of inattention, but it’s not as marked as the other symptoms.

People who are impulsive or hyperactive often:

• squirm, fidget, or feel restless
• have difficulty sitting still
• talk constantly
• touch and play with objects, even when inappropriate to the task at hand
• have trouble engaging in quiet activities
• are constantly “on the go”
• are impatient
• act out of turn and don’t think about consequences of actions
• blurt out answers and inappropriate comments

Children with hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD can be a disruption in the classroom. They can make learning more difficult for themselves and other students.

More boys are diagnosed with the hyperactive-impulsive type than girls.

Combined type

If you have the combination type, it means that your symptoms don’t exclusively fall within the inattention or hyperactive-impulsive behavior. Instead, a combination of symptoms from both of the categories are exhibited.

Most people, with or without ADHD, experience some degree of inattentive or impulsive behavior. But it’s more severe in people with ADHD. The behavior occurs more often and interferes with how you function at home, school, work, and in social situations.

Most children have combination type ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental HealthTrusted Source. This type is more common in boys compared to girls. The most common symptom in preschool aged children is hyperactivity.

Symptoms can change over time, so the type of ADHD you have may change, too. ADHD can be a lifelong challenge. But medication and other treatments can help improve your quality of life.

from https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/three-types-adhd