ADHD Combined Type- Diagnosis, Symptoms & Treatment
Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention characterize Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, at times, individuals suffer from the symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity. When this phenomenon occurs, it is called ADHD combined type. At this stage, coming up with a percentage of people who have ADHD combined is difficult. But, as per one study, 70% of adults with ADHD have a combined type. The treatment plan for the combined type is a little tricky but not impossible. Find out more about the symptoms and treatment options for ADHD combined type in this blog.
In the meantime, contact Therapy Fleet to consult our online mental healthcare providers and get online Adderall prescriptions at an affordable price.
Signs & Symptoms of ADHD Combined Type
Individuals with ADHD either have symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity. When individuals meet the criteria for both sets of symptoms, we call it ADHD combined type. There are two ADHD subtypes,
- Inattentive
- Hyperactive
For a person to be labeled as ADHD combined type, they must have at least six symptoms from each set. But what symptoms are we talking about? Let’s review!
Inattentive Symptoms
Individuals with inattentive ADHD usually depict the following signs;
- Unable to pay attention or listen to the other person
- Getting distracted easily
- Losing valuables
- Forgetting
- Making careless mistakes
- Procrastinating tasks that need them to put focus
- Unable to follow the instructions
- Forgetting event dates
- Finding it difficult to follow tasks
Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms
Individuals with impulsive behavior depict the following symptoms;
- fidgeting/ squirming
- Restlessness in adults and constant running and moving around in children
- Unable to remain seated
- Find it difficult to stay quiet
- Talkative
- Impatient
- Interrupting others when talking
- Always on the go
A person to be labeled with ADHD combined type needs to show at least six signs from each set.
An individual to be diagnosed with ADHD must have;
- Symptoms that interfere with daily functioning
- Symptoms present in different environments, like school and work, work and home, etc.
- Symptoms that do not pass as any other mental health conditions
Is ADHD Combined Type a Disability?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), someone who has severe ADHD symptoms is considered a developmental disability. The symptoms must impact the person’s ability to perform like a normal person in their daily lives to qualify as ADHD.
If you or a family member is fighting these symptoms in your daily life, seek help.
Life of A Person With ADHD Combined Type
People with ADHD combined are hyperactive and impulsive. They find reaching their true potential in different areas of life difficult as the symptoms make it challenging for them. Most often, individuals get so overwhelmed that they get into the loop of ADHD paralysis.
As for children with ADHD combined type, making friends is a task on its own.
Children are at a high risk of developing other conditions, like depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and behavioral disorders. For the same, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children with ADHD be further screened to find additional health conditions. Doing so will help the healthcare professional to lay down a complete treatment plan for your child.
As a parent, work alongside the therapist with your child and develop healthy coping strategies. Children with ADHD are at a high risk of injury. Talk with your child about the safety measures.
Link Between ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, is a co-occurring behavior disorder with ADHD. Individuals with ODD are often hostile, disobedient, and have defiant behavior towards people with authority.
Symptoms of ODD are;
- Arguing with elders
- Not following requests from the adults
- Blaming others
- No friends
- Resenting others
- Getting annoyed easily
- Losing temper
- Wanting to seek revenge
Risk Factors or Causes of ADHD?
Research tells us that ADHD or its subtype combines environment and genes. You cannot prevent ADHD combined type, but you definitely can find a treatment plan, as there are different treatment options available.
- Inherited Genes: It runs in the family. One study in JAMA Psychiatry showed that various genes in one person make them more susceptible to developing ADHD.
- Environmental Factors: Long-term exposure to toxins during infancy or pregnancy raises the risk of ADHD in a child.
- Brain Injury: A small percentage of children develop ADHD due to brain injury.
- Tobacco or Alcohol Use: A study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine claims that women who smoke during pregnancy increase the risk of developing ADHD in their child.
- Low Birth Weight: Premature delivery can increase the chance of ADHD in children.
How to Manage ADHD Combined Type?
For all we know, there is no cure for ADHD. But there are ways you can manage your symptoms. Living with ADHD is especially challenging for children and parents; you can support your child by;
For Children
- Maintaining a positive outlook
- Giving clear instructions to them
- Set rules
- Maintain routine
- Encourage and reward
For Adults
- Stay organized
- Engage in physical activity
- Give yourself a break
- Use reminders and alarms
- And be kind to yourself
Treatment Options for ADHD Combined Type
ADHD combined type is treated with medications and behavioral therapy. The drugs reduce the symptoms, while the treatment focuses on controlling the behavior. If your child is living with ADHD combined type, you must train yourself so that you know how to manage your child and keep the mood swings away.
1. ADHD Medication
a) Stimulants
Prescription medications that are central nervous stimulants are the first line of treatment for ADHD. With the correct drug administration, the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine increase in the brain, improving focus and reducing hyperactive behavior.
There are two salts used in stimulants, namely;
- Methylphenidate: Ritalin, Focalin & Concerta
- Amphetamine: Adderall, Evekeo, Dexedrine & Vyvanse
These stimulants help with ADHD combined type as well because they affect impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity.
Side Effects of Stimulant ADHD Medications
Some common side effects are;
- Sleep problems
- Mood swings
- Development of tics
- A change in appetite
- Depression
Note– these side effects are not severe and wear off as the body gets accustomed to the drug. However, if you don’t feel any change or a worsening of the side effects in about one month, your healthcare will recommend a non-stimulant.
b) Non-Stimulants
Non-stimulants like Qelbree work slowly, but the effects are better with less harsh side effects. Some people are given a combo of non-stimulants & stimulants for better results. There are two types in that;
- alpha-2 agonists: clonidine and guanfacine
- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors-atomoxetine
c) Over-The-Counter ADHD Medication
There are many over-the-counter ADHD supplements ideal for those who are hesitant about using prescription drugs.
For same-day online ADHD medication, schedule your appointment today with Therapy Fleet.
2. Behavioral Approaches
Sometimes, only medications are not enough to manage the symptoms of ADHD. Many mental healthcare providers use a multimodel approach, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy, ABA therapy, ADHD coaching, and medication.
There are some complementary remedies or home remedies like some people use caffeine to manage ADHD symptoms, but it lacks scientific evidence. As good as it might be, it can never replace prescription drugs for ADHD.
A. Complementary Practices;
- electroencephalograms biofeedback
- dietary management
- vision therapy
- thyroid treatment
- sensory integration training
- interactive metronome training
B. Behavioral Interventions
Individuals with combined type ADHD benefit a lot from the following behavioral interventions. Behavior therapy focuses on increasing and rewarding positive behavior and reducing risky or negative behaviors.
- Social skills training helps individuals cope with social situations or gatherings and understand others.
- Organizational skills teach people to develop different methods to fight disorganization and forgetfulness.
- Psychotherapy- or talk therapy, helps people to manage their negative thoughts and take care of their symptoms themselves.
- Mindfulness– teaches the individual how to stay present and become aware of themselves and their surroundings. It helps release emotional dysregulation, panic attacks, and stress.
- ADHD support groups– people with the same problem click. They share their lives and stories and seek guidance from others.
- Family therapy- finally, family therapy involves the families and teaches them strategies that will help them support their loved ones with ADHD.
Visiting an Online Doctor? What to Expect at Therapy Fleet
Do you think your child has ADHD? Are you planning to take them to a doctor for a test? You should know that there is no single test for that. Several steps are involved. For more information, read more.
The same method is used for ADHD diagnosis. However, the criteria for combined type ADHD is different. Your healthcare provider will conduct a deep examination to rule out other mental health conditions like anxiety disorder, etc. Make sure to tell them your medical history. Next, they will watch out for your child for the symptoms of each subtype of ADHD. This is achieved by observing the child throughout the day or taking different ADHD rating scales. This helps make a diagnosis more accessible for the doctor. Although these scales do not provide a definitive answer, they allow the doctor to keep a clear picture. These surveys will ask you about the child’s behavior in different settings. They will invite their teachers or other family members your child interacts with to decide.
Final Thoughts
About 70% of the adults have ADHD combined type. According to DSM-5, it is one of the three presentations of ADHD. You can only be diagnosed with ADHD combined type if you display at least six symptoms of each subtype of ADHD.
A person living with combined ADHD type does not necessarily have symptoms of life more challenging than a person with ADHD only. Although there is no cure for ADHD, treatment plans are available. You can manage the symptoms and lead an almost everyday life, even with ADHD combined.
Come out and stop living your life with poor time management, fighting mood disorder, and inattentive presentation because effective treatment is available. It’s time to say goodbye to ADHD mood swings.
ADHD is often misunderstood as mere hyperactivity, but it deeply affects focus, self-regulation, and daily functioning. Understanding its complexities is key to supporting those who live with it.
FAQs
1. What is the ICD 10 code for ADHD?
ICD-10 F90.2 for ADHD combined type is a medical classification listed by WHO under the range of mental, Behavioral, & Neurodevelopmental disorders.
2. What is the combined type of ADHD?
Combined type ADHD is a condition of the brain that affects your actions. Symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity characterize it. And should have at least six symptoms of each type.
3. Can a person with combined type ADHD have both subtypes?
By combined type ADHD, we mean displaying symptoms from both subtypes. So, to answer the question, yes, a person can have symptoms from subtype inattentive and subtype hyperactive.
4. Can ADHD be cured?
No, there is no cure for ADHD. ADHD is a life-long disorder. Treatments help to manage the symptoms, but you can’t get rid of ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends medication or behavior therapy; the optimal treatment includes behavioral therapy and medications for children.