ADHD has three types: Predominantly Hyperactive, Predominantly Inattentive, and the Combined Type. While some people still believe that ADHD can only manifest as hyperactivity - that's not always the case. That means inattentiveness is a main symptom, too! They may present shyness or are timid and still have ADHD.
Some children with ADHD are hyperactive, while others sit quietly—with their attention miles away. Some put too much focus on a task and have trouble shifting it to something else. Others are only mildly inattentive, but overly impulsive.
Yes — you can have a diagnosis of ADHD and be an introvert. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact people with any personality trait. Ryan Bolling, a behavior analyst from Atlanta, Georgia, believes ADHD may be more closely linked to introversion than many people realize.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Inattentive Type in Adults. People with ADHD of the inattentive type have trouble paying attention to details, are easily distracted, often have trouble organizing or finishing tasks and often forget routine chores (such as paying bills on time or returning phone calls).
ADHD and Shyness
It has everything to do with how comfortable a person feels about themselves. Many adults with ADHD don't feel comfortable with themselves. They feel shame that they aren't where they thought they would be at this point in their lives.
For many people with ADHD, the experiences in our lives can sometimes become too much to bear, making us quiet and shy. But when partnered with a mood disorder, connecting with others can become an even more significant challenge.
Put simply; masking is intentionally shifting your behavior to hide your differences. For example, a woman with ADHD might smile and nod during a conversation even though she tuned out long ago, or she may secretly work late into the night to overcompensate for not staying on task for a deadline.
The rarest type of ADHD diagnosed is the hyperactive-impulsive type with no indication of inattentive or distracted behavior, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
For starters, not everyone with the hyperactive side of ADHD is loud and talkative.
Did you know this is a symptom of their ADHD? Many parents with children who have ADHD report that their child is super talkative and typically says things without thinking about them first. Your child does not intentionally talk a mile a minute, but it just happens!
Small talk can be the Achilles heel for people with ADHD, however. Some find small talk boring, while others find it mystifying or even terrifying.
Possible causes of shyness
Personality – emotionally sensitive and easily intimidated babies are more likely to grow up to be shy children. Learned behaviour – children learn by imitating their most influential role models: their parents. Shy parents may 'teach' shyness to their children by example.
While extroverted traits like these are part of the ADHD experience for some people, they're not everyone's experience. In fact, many people with ADHD identify with introverted traits. Whether that's needing time alone to recharge, spending lots of time in their own head or feeling overwhelmed by external stimuli.
It should be recognized that many quiet young people are quiet for more than one reason. The most common combination of causes is communication apprehension and skill deficiencies. As we noted previously, such people are likely to develop low self-esteem and consider themselves shy.
Similar to the hyperactive symptoms, impulsive symptoms are typically seen by the time a child is four years old and increase during the next three to four years to peak in severity when the child is seven to eight years of age.
Is ADHD inherited from Mom or Dad? You can inherit genes that boost risk for ADHD from your mother, from your father or from both parents.
The primary features of ADHD include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. ADHD symptoms start before age 12, and in some children, they're noticeable as early as 3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may continue into adulthood.
If your child seems hyperactive--fidgety, impulsive, and inattentive--don't automatically assume that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.
Masking is when a person with ADHD acts in a “socially acceptable” way to fit in and form better connections with those around them. This usually involves camouflaging their symptoms by controlling their impulses, rehearsing responses, and copying the behaviors of those who don't have ADHD.
Other less common issues can also present as inattention, including trauma, absence seizures, hearing impairment, hallucinations, Tourette's syndrome, among others. Because the root cause of inattention can sometimes be something very specific and complex, it is important to get a thorough evaluation.
Interestingly, girls with untreated ADHD may be more likely to blame and judge themselves for these problems, leading to a higher risk for low self-esteem than boys who have ADHD. They may also be more likely to have problems with substance abuse, eating disorders, and anxiety.
The signs of ADHD in girls are more likely to look like inattention than hyperactivity. Girls with ADHD often don't fit the stereotype of excessive energy. Instead, they have a hard time paying attention, staying organized, and managing their time. People might mistake girls with ADHD for just being spacey or lazy.
The emotional and social fallout of ADHD can be very serious. Girls with ADHD sometimes struggle to make and keep friends. Many also experience low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. They also have higher rates of self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide attempts than other girls.