What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ('ADHD')

/əˈtɛnʃ(ə)n/ˈdɛfɪsɪt/ˌhʌɪpərakˈtɪvɪti/dɪsˈɔːdə/ noun 1 is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the part of our brain that helps us to plan, control impulses and execute tasks.

Aroreretini

noun 1 used in reference to having ADHD.

Origin: Māori, literal translation is 'attention goes to many things'.


ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and describes the unique structure of your brain.

A significant number of New Zealanders have ADHD, and for those of you who do, have many positive characteristics which are experienced alongside some challenges.

Researchers who are passionate about ADHD have been helping to increase our knowledge and understanding of what makes ADHD unique. It's now clearly understood that the frontal lobe (prefrontal cortex to be specific) in the ADHD brain develops or mature at a slower rate. Generally, maturing is slowed by approximately three years in developing children and adolescents.

The frontal lobe is responsible for:

  • filtering and controlling attention
  • behaviour
  • emotion
  • energy or motor control 
  • judgement, and
  • executive functioning - which includes your ability to plan and organise.

As the development of the frontal lobe is slower and less matured than "typical" development it means the "neurodevelopmental delay" to the prefrontal cortex makes automatically controlling and filtering attention, behaviours, emotions etc so much harder.

One of the main ADHD symptoms is that your ADHD brain has to work much harder to control aspects that come naturally to others the same age, and this is the nature of the "disordered" part.

It's also the reason why you or your child experience significant fatigue by the end of the work or school day. This doesn't, by any means, make you less than your peers, however, but rather does make you different in terms of your developmental trajectory.

What are the different types of ADHD?



Under the general understanding/diagnosis of ADHD, individuals usually fit into one of three different "presentations". This is because even with a diagnosis of ADHD, it's recognised that within ADHD everyone is different, and that presentations can change over time. However, there are commonalities that help to provide understanding of the more specific features of each type. 


The three types of ADHD presentations are:

ADHD - Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: 

​​​​​​​

This presentation tends to be more prevalent in:

  • girls
  • those who have encountered a head injury to the frontal lobe, and
  • those also on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The main characteristics include an under control of attention, focus and
​​​​​​​concentration. 

Some impulsivity, behavioural and emotional hyperactivity and executive dysfunction
are often also experienced but to a much lesser degree.

ADHD - Predominantly Hyperactive and Impulsive Presentation: 


This is the most well-known presentation of ADHD as childhood hyperactivity (including inappropriately high activity levels such as running, climbing, moving around) is more obvious, as is impulsive actions - which can lead to trouble with authority and peers.

In adolescence and adults, as the brain matures, so too does the control level and the hyperactivity turns from major movement to more minor restlessness and fidgeting.

The main characteristics include an under control of behaviour, activity (hyperactivity is
sped up activity levels that are not lessened appropriately in given situations), and
acting on impulses without controlling these with thinking before acting.​

Inattentiveness and executive dysfunction are often also present, though generally to a
​​​​​​​lesser extent.

ADHD - Combined Presentation: ​


The main characteristics include an under control of attention, behaviour, activity and
impulses. They are all present in fairly equal measures.

Signs of ADHD and ​​ADHD symptoms include:

Inattentive behaviourHyperactive behaviourImpusive behaviourEmotional impulsivityExecutive functioning
Easily distractedConstant activityActing without
thinking		Big, raw and sudden
emotions		Losing things

Difficulties maintaining 
attention/focus
(especially when bored)

RestlessnessInterrupting peopleOnce calm it's over and
as though nothing
happened		Not knowing what
they're doing and when
Daydreams or off-taskFidgetingAccident-prone as not
thinking before doing		Easily upset, angry or
afriad		Trouble organising
thoughts onto paper
Makes silly mistakesTrouble switching off / 
sleeping		Blurts out answers /
secrets		Easily frustrated or
annoyed		Poor sense of time
Trouble switching
between tasks, getting
lost		Talks excessivelyDoesn't mean to do or
say all the things done		Hard to calm downOften late
Difficulty keepig track
remembering
​​​​​​​instructions
Rushes into thingsSelf-soothing is difficultDoesn't mentally
rehearse before
​​​​​​​entering new situations


Important facts about ADHD

Each of you will vary in the type, number, frequency and severity of your ADHD behaviour/symptoms. To determine if you, or someone you know, has ADHD and to get the best treatment, a specialist Paediatrician, Psychiatrist or Clinical Psychologist (but not an Educational Psychologist) assessment is needed. A list of healthcare professional providers can be found here.

ADHD is real 

  • ​It's a neurodevelopmental delay in a particular, specific part of the brain that 's responsible for filtering and control.
  • It's not wilful naughtiness or laziness.

ADHD has nothing to do with your intelligence

  • Just as there are differing levels of intelligence across the general population, there are differing levels of intelligence in people with ADHD.
  • The delays only affect the prefrontal cortex (a small part!) of your brain. You're as intelligent as you were going to be according to your genes and environment, and irrespective of having ADHD neurodevelopmental delays.

There's less stigma and more support for ADHD

  • How the public, families and professionals have understood ADHD has changed across the generations. There is much less stigma around getting an assessment and support for ADHD.
  • More and more people are getting assessed and diagnosed with ADHD than ever before, and the highest proportion is in adults. Often, these are parents who have had their child assessed and realise they too experience the behaviours/symptoms. 

  • Adult ADHD adulthood often means access to understanding yourself in new and non-judgmental ways that allow for support structures to help you to adapt to different situations, relationships, workplace requirements and life stages.

Having ADHD also means that you have immense strengths

  • These include being energetic, enthusiastic, creative, highly intuitive, sensitive and fun. You're also more likely to become experts in your field.

  • Parents, teachers, employers, colleagues, partners and friends who understand, are supporting, and helping you to manage ADHD, by capturing and enhancing your strengths are your allied champions! They know that ADHD is different but not less!

For more information have a look at our ADHD FAQs, find a healthcare professional, check out supporting organisations or contact us.