ADHD Glossary A–Z: ADHD Variants and Terms Explained

What are ADHD variants?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, and no two people experience it in exactly the same way. “ADHD variants” is a handy way to talk about those differences.

ADHD Australia explains that ADHD affects the brain’s higher-level thinking (or executive functioning), which can affect attention and the ability to self-regulate behaviour, thoughts and emotions (ADHD Australia).

ADHD variants: the three presentations

These are the presentations of ADHD that a clinician may describe.

• The three presentations come from the Australian ADHD Guideline and the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne.
• Read what ADHD is for the full definition before comparing presentations.
• Read how a person with ADHD thinks for more on thinking and attention.
• Ask people who know you well what they notice, and share this with your clinician.

Signs of ADHD and how an ADHD test works

Online quizzes can prompt a conversation, but only a qualified professional can assess this.

• Common signs people describe include trouble starting tasks, losing items, restlessness and interrupting; ADHD traits lists them by age.
• Some people also describe strong emotions, time blindness and difficulty winding down at night.
• Searches for an ADHD test often lead to quick online quizzes, which cannot give a diagnosis and should be treated as reflection only.

1. 1Write down what you notice. Note examples from home, school or work, including when the difficulties began.
2. 2Book a GP appointment. Ask for time to discuss attention, mood and sleep, and bring notes and any school reports.
3. 3Ask about next steps. Your GP can explain what a full assessment involves and who you may need to see.
4. 4Share the whole picture. Tell the clinician about anxiety, low mood, sleep, substance use and family history.
5. 5Keep your report. A written assessment may help when you talk to schools, employers and the NDIS.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

ADHD variants in thinking and emotion

The Australian ADHD Guideline states emotion regulation difficulties affect up to 40-50% of children with ADHD (About ADHD).

• ADHD impulsivity explains acting or speaking before thinking, and everyday planning ideas.
• ADHD perfectionism looks at perfectionism alongside ADHD.
• ADHD intrusive thoughts describes unwanted thoughts and when to seek help for them.
• ADHD rumination covers replaying events in your mind.
• ADHD overthinking looks at overthinking alongside ADHD.
• Imposter syndrome and ADHD looks at feeling like a fraud despite real achievements.
• Anhedonia and ADHD looks at loss of pleasure, which is worth raising with your GP.
• ADHD dissociation describes zoning out or feeling detached from the moment.
• The ADHD iceberg looks at the parts of ADHD other people may not see.

Do people with ADHD overthink?

Some people with ADHD describe overthinking, and a GP can talk it through with you.

• Write worries on paper, then pick one small next action so the thought has somewhere to go.
• Tell your GP if overthinking is affecting your sleep, mood or ability to work.

ADHD variants in relationships, intimacy and breakups

Feelings, attention and impulse control all show up in close relationships, and understanding this can make them kinder for everyone.

• ADHD limerence explains intense infatuation and how it relates to ADHD.
• ADHD and lying looks at lying and ADHD for children and adults.
• ADHD eye contact looks at eye contact and ADHD.
• ADHD and Asperger’s covers an older diagnostic term many people still search for, and how autism and ADHD overlap.

ADHD and intimacy

• Honest conversation with your partner can help when ADHD affects closeness.
• If you take medicine and notice changes in sexual function, ask your prescriber or pharmacist, and do not stop a medicine on your own.
• If a wandering mind makes physical intimacy or orgasm difficult, a GP or sexual health clinician can talk it through without judgement.

ADHD and breakups

• A breakup can feel overwhelming, so lean on friends, family and your GP.
• Keep routines like sleep, meals and movement steady, and ask for practical help if daily tasks slip.

ADHD variants in body, senses and daily life

People ask about ADHD alongside body, senses and daily routines, and a GP can check any health concern.

• ADHD vision looks at vision and ADHD; see an optometrist or your GP for any eye concerns.
• ADHD and clumsiness looks at coordination and ADHD, and when an occupational therapist can help.
• ADHD and bedwetting looks at bedwetting and ADHD and who to see.
• ADHD meals looks at easy ADHD meals, such as simple batch cooking, for when planning and cooking feel hard.
• The Australian ADHD Guideline notes there may be a higher prevalence of ADHD in people with eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, and an increased risk among people with sleep disorders (high-risk groups).

Do not start restrictive diets or change medicines without talking to your GP.

ADHD variants at work, in hobbies and in activities

healthdirect states adults with ADHD can successfully learn to manage their lives, but may also experience depression or anxiety, substance misuse problems, and difficulties with family and work (healthdirect).

• Jobs for people with ADHD lists roles that suit different strengths, from active work to creative and caring roles.
• ADHD hobbies looks at hobbies and ADHD.
• Activities for ADHD offers movement, sensory and focus activities for children and adults.
• Ask your employer or school about adjustments such as written instructions, quiet space, flexible deadlines or regular check-ins.

ADHD regression, emoji and simulators

Some search terms describe things that are not formal diagnoses, so a clear explanation helps.

ADHD regression

• People use this term for a return of old struggles at stressful times. It is not a formal diagnosis.
• Tell your GP if skills you once managed are slipping, since stress, mood and sleep are worth checking.

ADHD emoji and simulators

• Some people use emoji and memes to start conversations about ADHD.
• An ADHD simulator can give others a flavour of distraction, but it cannot capture one person’s lived experience and is not a test.

ADHD variants and the NDIS

NDIS funding depends on meeting the NDIS access requirements, and evidence about how ADHD affects daily life can help.

• Gather reports from your GP, specialists and therapists describing how ADHD and any co-occurring conditions affect daily tasks.
• Keep a diary of the help you need with planning, routines, appointments and getting out.
• Bring your assessment and diary to the NDIA or a local area coordinator, and ask what evidence is needed.
• Browse TQN Care NDIS services to see the support at home and in the community that workers can provide.

When to talk to a GP or specialist

You do not need to wait until things are at crisis point to ask for help.

• Attention, restlessness or impulsivity is affecting school, work, relationships or daily routines for a long time.
• Low mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts or poor sleep are getting worse.
• You are using alcohol or other substances to cope with how you feel.
• A child is struggling at school or with friends and teachers have raised concerns.
• You feel exhausted or overwhelmed as a carer; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you need to talk now.

healthdirect on 1800 022 222 is staffed by registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, call 000.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

When you have an assessment and know what daily help would make life easier, you can start planning supports. At TQN Care, we provide support workers for personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). See our NDIS services or make a referral and we will call you back.