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ADHD Presentations & girl or boy ADHD? what does inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined presentation mean?
Episode 2 • 10th January 2024 • ADHD Powerful Possibilities: New and Late Diagnosis & Beyond • ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders
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ADHD Coach Katherine Sanders

ADHD Coach Katherine AACC

In this episode, I decided to confront a big giant podcast that I'm seeing clips of that promotes the myth of 'girl ADHD' and 'boy ADHD'. What do presentations of ADHD mean?

We mostly talk about inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, and combined presentations - what do they look and feel like?

The episode provides insights into how ADHD presentations can influence daily life and offers strategies to manage each type, such as mindfulness and external reminders for inattentive ADHD, and regular exercise and focused hobbies for hyperactive and impulsive ADHD.

**Fantastic bonus: a downloadable quiz and information PDF that will help you determine what your presentation of ADHD is likely to be and has some strategies for you to play with!**

Download Here: https://lightbulbadhd.com/adhd-presentations

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:40 Understanding Different Presentations of ADHD

01:35 Exploring Predominantly Inattentive ADHD

03:22 Unpacking Predominantly Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD

04:40 Combined Presentation of ADHD

05:12 How ADHD Presentations Impact Everyday Life

08:41 Debunking Myths from a Famous Podcast

12:15 Strategies for Managing Different ADHD Presentations

15:18 Sharing Your ADHD Stories

16:22 Conclusion and Next Steps


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https://lightbulbadhd.com/adhd-presentations

ADHD Presentations

Rostami, M., et al. (2020). ADHD subtypes: Do they hold beyond core symptoms? A multilevel testing of an additive model. Link

Delisi, M., et al. (2011). Fledgling Psychopathy in the Classroom: ADHD Subtypes, Psychopathy, and Reading Comprehension in a Community Sample of Adolescents. Link

Gaub, M., & Carlson, C. L. (1997). Behavioral Characteristics of DSM-IV ADHD Subtypes in a School-Based Population. Link

Schmitz, M., et al. (2002). Neuropsychological Performance in DSM-IV ADHD Subtypes: An Exploratory Study with Untreated Adolescents. Link

ADHD & sex differences:

Klefsjö U., Kantzer A-K., Gillberg C., Billstedt E. (November 2020) The road to diagnosis and treatment in girls and boys with ADHD – gender differences in the diagnostic process. DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2020.1850859 https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2020.1850859

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08039488.2020.1850859?needAccess=true

Cheng A., Illango A., El-Kadi A., Ma H., Mitchell N.. Rajapakse N., Robb C., (September 2022) Factors Impacting Gender Diagnostic Differences in ADHD: A Review.

DOI:[10.15173/child.v1i1.3126](https://dx.doi.org/10.15173/child.v1i1.3126)

https://journals.mcmaster.ca/child/article/download/3126/2047

Assari, S. (February 2021) Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Correlates of Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Screening and Diagnosis History: Sex/Gender Differences.

DOI: [10.29245/2572.942x/2021/1.1278](https://dx.doi.org/10.29245/2572.942x/2021/1.1278)

 https://www.jneurology.com/articles/emotional-behavioral-and-cognitive-correlates-of-attention-deficit-and-hyperactive-disorder-adhd-screening-and-diagnosis-history-sexgender-differences.pdf

 Waltereit J., Zimmer J., Roessner V., Waltereit R. ,July 2023, "Family and developmental history of female versus male adolescents with ADHD: diagnosis-specific overlap, few gender/sex differences"

(https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1072735)

   (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1072735/pdf)

Transcripts

Speaker:

RODE NT-USB & Susan's iphone (work) Camera:

After a famous podcast, I received a lot

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of messages saying I'm a guy, but I have

girl, ADHD, or I'm a parent of a girl

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with ADHD who appears to have boy ADHD.

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What's going on.

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This week in ADHD, powerful possibilities.

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We are going to look at.

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What is the fact and that

truths behind some of the claims

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in a recent famous podcast.

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But we're going to look at

the presentations of ADHD.

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Join me while we look at some of

the myths that have been shared

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in a very famous recent podcast.

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And no, you don't have

girl, ADHD or boy ADHD.

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What's up.

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My friend it's episode.

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12 of ADHD, powerful possibilities

ADHD coach Katherine.

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And this week we are looking at.

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What are the presentations of ADHD?

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What do they look like?

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And how do you know which

one is affecting you most?

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And how do you know where you

sit within those presentations?

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Thank you for the lovely

welcome back last week.

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I'm really delighted that you're

still enjoying the podcast.

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Thank you for the reviews.

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And please keep sending your questions.

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They do make a difference to

what I record and what I write

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this week, we're going to

look at ADHD presentations.

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In the olden days?

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Not that long ago, they were

called different types of ADHD.

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What we understand is that it's all

ADHD, but how it presents to the outside

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world and maybe how we experience it.

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Looks different.

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And so presentation is a more accurate

word for the different presentations

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of ADHD, but they're all ADHD.

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Think of ADHD as kind of a mosaic.

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And there are different parts that join up

to make a different presentations of ADHD.

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And the first one we're going to

look at is predominantly inattentive.

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Inattentive.

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It's something that I have

heard people call girl ADHD.

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It could not be more untrue.

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There are many men and boys with ADHD

who present in an inattentive fashion.

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And they might be the ones

who are a bit more dreamy.

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A bit more.

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Out of touch.

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Or who are just not out

there rampaging around.

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There are lots of girls who have

what some people call boy, ADHD.

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We'll come back to that though.

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Inattentive ADHD.

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It can feel like your mind

is a bit of a butterfly.

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And that was something that was

written about me in a school report.

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40 years ago.

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It's a fantastic mind.

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It can focus and land on something that

it can flutter it off really easily.

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But it's not just about

being easily distracted.

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We may find it inattentive presentation,

ADHD, people are more likely to lose

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their keys, to forget important dates

for me, it was forgetting something

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that someone had told me in the morning.

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And I failed to do in the afternoon.

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Because things happened in between.

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We might struggle to

focus on conversations.

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But it's not because we're not listening

is because our inner conversation is so

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powerful and engaging and not always in

the positive, really nice, airy fairy way.

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Because we have this rich inner life,

we can appear to be more creative,

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maybe because we're just more aware

of what's going on inside because

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we have these moments of connection.

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But the downside of an attentive ADHD

is that we can often ruminate and

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then we can begin to spiral down.

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And so if you're aware of that habit,

that tendency, that pattern, you can

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learn to control it and head the spiral

and the rumination off really quickly.

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The second presentation is

predominantly hyperactive and impulsive.

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This is the one that most

people think about with ADHD.

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And it generally is the part of the DSM,

which says you are driven like a motor.

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You're physically active.

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You can't sit still.

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You're fidgeting.

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You're tapping your feet.

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With adults, this can become an

internal thing or it can be diminished

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and controlled into things like

clicking your pen, twiddling your

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keys, fidgeting with your hair.

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Some of these are body focused, repetitive

behaviors, which is a method of self

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soothing, but that's something else.

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Think of Dr.

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Hollowell's description of ADHD

is having a racing car brain with

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bicycle brakes and that is classic

hyperactive, impulsive ADHD.

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We tend to blurt things out.

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We can be physically and mentally.

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Unable to stop and slow down.

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And that's really distressing because

we want to be able to slow down.

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We want to control.

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our attention and our thought process.

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It can lead to real social problems.

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If you are somebody who constantly

fidgets and blurts and interrupts.

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At the same time, it can give us

incredible energy and passion when

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it's harnessed in the right direction.

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And when we're given the support

and the love and the compassion.

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To lean into it.

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And then we have the combined

presentation, which is

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where many people fall.

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We have inattentive presentation traits,

but we also have the kind of racing car

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driving around the butterfly garden.

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We might find that we're

constantly shifting gears and

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know in a way that's useful.

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We might feel that we were more.

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Eh, hyperactive and

impulsive when we were young.

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And then we become more combined

or inattentive as we get older.

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But again, I think that's

because it all turns inward.

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Or we develop coping strategies

that allow us to compensate.

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What happens when these presentations

of ADHD meet everyday life?

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How are they going to show up for you?

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Was inattentive ADHD.

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We might find it harder

to make connections.

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We might find that we lose out on

opportunities because we have drifted off.

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When somebody was talking about

something, they assume that we're

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not interested, that we don't care.

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And so disaster.

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Again, it's about.

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A) education of yourself

and the people around you.

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B) making strategies and structures

that allow your inattentiveness to

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not impact things like your work, your

home and especially relationships.

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And I want to include your relationship

with yourself in that one, because

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if you're inattentive and you are

more prone to rumination, it's

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really important that you understand

this is a brain-based difference,

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not a personal flaw or a weakness.

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Hyperactive and impulsive ADHD can

appear like a real strengths - think

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of somebody like Michael Phelps.

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Now he's one of the most

successful swimmers of all time.

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But his mother was told

that he would never come to

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anything because of his ADHD.

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Think about people like Dr.

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Hallowell, who I just mentioned

who cannot take medication.

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And yet he is one of the most successful

clinicians and writers about ADHD.

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The trick with impulsive and

hyperactive ADHD is to create

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your focus on something that is.

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Really engaging and interesting.

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And you're passionate about.

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And finding ways to express your vitality,

your energy without losing control.

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It might be that you need something

like a really dynamic type of yoga.

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To allow you to connect

your mind with your body.

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while at the , same time giving

your body that sense of rhythm and

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ease that you get from movement.

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For me, it was about dance because I could

combine my love of music with my physical

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energy and bring them both together.

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And I was really dedicated for many years.

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With combined presentation, it is complex.

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Again, we get to pick and mix.

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We use different strategies from

different areas in a way that makes

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sense for your brain and your life.

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We're not all one.

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We're not all the other.

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But it can still be

challenging and hold you back.

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If you're not aware.

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Of where it's showing up.

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but let's be really clear the

different presentations of ADHD.

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are a starting point.

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They're not the end and they're

not discrete categories.

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Which is one of the reasons why I

sometimes think about ADHD as a spectrum.

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It's especially true that your

presentation may fluctate if

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you have a menstrual cycle.

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If your hormones a little over the

place, if you're going through puberty.

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These things make a real difference.

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And you might find that

you have more energy.

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And your hyperactive presentation is

more obvious at one point in your cycle.

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And yet your inattentive ruminative.

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downbeat, presentation is more common.

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The week before your period.

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And when we're in,

peri-menopause all bets are off.

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Let's not reduce people to stereotypes.

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And although labels are really valuable

and I passionately believe that giving

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ourselves a label, isn't a limiting thing.

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I want to make sure that people

understand the diagnosis of ADHD and the

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presentations are not about stereotypes.

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We are full.

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Rounded wonderful complex human beings.

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We all have dreams.

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We all have our individual challenges.

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We all have a vision a passion somewhere.

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And no presentation of

ADHD, it should limit you.

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From pursuing that.

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I want to conclude with a

look at a very famous podcast.

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Which I see clips of all over

the internet that are some

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really huge clangers in there.

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I think it's a presentation or

miscommunication issue rather

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than a willful misrepresentation.

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But I want to explore it with you.

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I want to finish off by just

clearing up some of the things that

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I'm seeing, being repeated every

week and that are not helpful.

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The first is the idea that

there is girl ADHD and boy ADHD.

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There is no such thing.

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Some study suggests that

outward presentation of ADHD.

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I can be different.

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And girls because of our social

conditioning, the expectations,

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the idea boys will be boys.

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Girls will be girls, but there are many.

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Impulsive and hyperactive girls

and many inattentive boys.

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The boys are missed, right?

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Because they're not showing that typical

presentation that people are looking for.

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So I find this presentation.

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According to girl or boy really unhelpful.

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It's really not.

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Going to help people.

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But more importantly, the idea that

girls get worse and boys grow out.

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Of it.

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It's just not true.

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I want to make it clear that

the lost generation of ADHD

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isn't exclusive to women.

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Women over 50 are being called

the lost generation of ADHD.

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But I want to make it very clear that

there are many men who fall into that

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category of a lost generation as well.

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And there are lots of people

who are late diagnosed and who

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are unable to access, support.

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Because of the stigma.

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There are lots of reasons

they might not have had a

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diagnosis earlier in their life.

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The diagnostic criteria has changed.

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There's some shame around what

we thought was behavioral, but we

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know, knew it to be neurological

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there's a lack of awareness.

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And there's also the

availability of a diagnosis.

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Some of the language used in that podcast

around things like depression, anxiety.

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And self-harm.

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WaS alarming from an ethical

mental health point of view.

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now It is not untrue to say that

undiagnosed adult ADHD can lead to

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more significant risk of anxiety,

depression, self harm, and so on.

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But it's really important.

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We don't stigmatize or damage

people who are suffering with

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these very real conditions.

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More than they already are.

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And it's really important to

discuss that these are manageable

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with the right support.

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And although self-diagnosis,

which was really supported

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in that podcast is important.

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Given how difficult it is.

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Impossible for many of

us To access a diagnosis.

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I think it's a bit irresponsible to

focus so much on a very detailed,

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personal account and focus on that.

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And although we may identify

with many of the symptoms or

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traits that person experienced.

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As I explained in the last podcast,

there are many things that look

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like ADHD, but which are not.

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Which is why we need an accurate diagnosis

and treatment plan to support us.

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And diagnosing yourself, maybe the

only option you have right now.

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But please always keep in mind

that you need to have other things

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excluded so that you can really get

the help, but it is right for you.

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And finally would that

podcast, please go and find.

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Reliable authorities on ADHD.

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Yes.

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There are a lot of people who complain

about credentialism and I always tell

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people I'm a certified ADHD coach.

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But that's because there are lots

of people who spread information

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that I would never share.

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And that's why having a credential.

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Is about giving other people some

trustworthy, reliable advice.

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Let's finish off with looking at

what you can do depending on what

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presentation of ADHD you may experience.

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For inattentive ADHD, we're looking

at making our inner world external and

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visual and attractive so that we can

capture eye on something when we've.

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When we've drifted off for a second.

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Personally, I rely heavily on my

whiteboard on my external planner.

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I use a notion planner.

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I use a paper planner.

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I also have a calendar on the wall.

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I have reminders set on my

phone because I know that my

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inattentive traits within ADHD.

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We'll get in the way of

me fulfilling my job.

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And although it might sound

counterintuitive actually

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using mindfulness can help you

to stay engaged and focused

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because you're giving your mind.

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That space that is looking for.

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with hyperactive and impulsive

presentation of ADHD.

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You're looking for some way to

channel that energy and focus.

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We want to look for positive outlets.

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Now, this is going to be really personal,

depending upon what you're interested in.

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What's available to you, what your

financial and physical capabilities are.

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But things like regular exercise can

actually decrease the impulsivity.

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And they can improve

your focus and attention.

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I think hobbies, like really detailed

things like knitting, crochet and drawing.

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Really help when my brain is

whizzing and it's really hyperactive.

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And they have the bonus side effect

of A) producing really cute things.

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And B.

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they are a fidget that

is socially acceptable.

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And again, making sure that

you've got time in your day

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for a bit of deep breathing.

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Maybe a bit of mindfulness can really

help to center your focus and mindfulness

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when it's adapted for ADHD is one of the

most powerful tools that you can get.

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For the combined presentation of

ADHD, you get to pick whatever

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works for you from the last two.

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I use all of the strategies because I

am mostly a combined presentation ADHD.

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Now I'm older.

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So I have both mindfulness practices.

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I have all the external reminders.

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And I also use a lot of regular movement.

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When I go for a daily walk every day,

my brain is a much happier organ.

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And it works much better.

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And don't forget, I have got a

wonderful quiz that you can download,

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which will help you to determine which

presentation of ADHD is most likely

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the one that you are living with.

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When you download it from the link below.

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You will also be able to access a voucher

for a discount on the ebook coming at

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the end of the month and the webinar

that goes with it, where we're going to

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discuss ADHD presentations and get some

practical strategies in place for you.

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I would love to know what you

know about your presentation.

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What's worked for you.

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What hasn't, if you've got a

really fantastic strategy that you

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would love to share, let me know.

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And let's really support each other.

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As we go forward with our ADHD brains.

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Next week.

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I want to share some of your stories.

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If you want to tell me about your

experience of a presentation of ADHD.

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ADHD was like for you.

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And how you're living with it now.

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Please get in touch with me.

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You can message me or email me, and I

would love to include either a clip from

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you or I can read out your own message.

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So let me know.

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Next week.

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We're going to look at your

experience of living with ADHD.

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And after you've shared your

story, I'm going to offer some.

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Some insight from my experience of

working with people with ADHD, so that

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you can learn from each other and also

hear what's going to be useful for you.

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Next week, I want to share your stories.

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You can leave me a voice note.

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You can send me an email.

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. But whatever we do, I want to make sure

that your experience of the different

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presentations of ADHD is heard.

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And then I'm going to offer some

insight and some, maybe some

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strategies or ideas, some things

that you might want to play with.

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For your own ADHD.

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And don't forget to take

the quiz and get in touch.

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If you're interested in the webinar

about ADHD and it's presentations.

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Thank you for joining us today if you

found value in this episode, please

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subscribe and share it with someone

else you know who might benefit or

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who you want to understand you better.

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Remember, your journey with ADHD

is an ongoing journey of growth.

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But you're not alone anymore.

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Until next time, this is Catherine,

reminding you that with the

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right guidance, the possibilities

really are powerful and endless.

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Take care.

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