The Quick Read
- ADHD is the current clinical term that includes what was previously called ADD.
- The DSM-5 identifies three types of ADHD:
- Inattentive ADHD involves difficulties with focus, organization, and motivation.
- Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD includes restlessness, impulsivity, and trouble slowing down.
- Combined ADHD includes traits of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity and is the most common type.
- Understanding your ADHD type can impact self-esteem, daily functioning, and treatment approach.
- Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential for effectively managing ADHD.
- ADHD testing in Cincinnati can provide clarity and help you find the right tools for success.
Wait, is it ADHD or ADD?
Many people looking for ADHD testing ask this question. Many people in Cincinnati and all over the world still use the term “ADD.” But as for the correct clinical term, this topic needs clarification. ADD is no longer a diagnosis. Today, the diagnostic manual uses the term Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as an umbrella for both forms of ADHD. Wait, there are two forms? Yes, in fact, there are three.
Let’s break down the different types of ADHD. Knowing the differences can help you better understand what you’re seeing in yourself and clarify why getting evaluated for ADHD could be helpful.
Why Did ADD Disappear?
Years ago, ADHD was broken down into two categories:
- ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder): Primarily inattentive symptoms
- ADHD: Attention issues plus hyperactivity and impulsivity
However, research showed these were not entirely different conditions — they were different types of the same condition. Moreover, psychologists realized that ADHD changed over time. Some people were more hyperactive as children, but grew up to be more inattentive. Allowing the same diagnosis to be specified rather than changing the entire diagnosis leaves room for change. When the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) was updated, the psychiatric community standardized the diagnosis under one name: ADHD.
What Are the Three Types of ADHD?
Predominantly inattentive presentation (formerly known as ADD)
People with inattentive ADHD struggle with motivation, focus, and organization. Common signs include:
- Daily forgetfulness
- Losing personal items like keys, phones, or paperwork
- Difficulty following instructions
- Poor time management (i.e., running late, forgetting appointments).
- Distractibility (i.e., spending long hours off task)
- Spacing out in conversation
- Making careless errors due to a lack of focus
Struggles with focus ultimately damage self-esteem, especially without a diagnosis. Many adults with ADHD feel “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “scattered.” In reality, their brains simply process attention differently. To top it off, adults with ADHD are doing their best to survive in a world not built for their brains. Without the right tools, this can feel nearly impossible to navigate.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive (formerly known as ADHD)
Adults who are hyperactive are restless, often on the go, and struggle to power down. Signs include the following:
- Squirming and moving around in your seat
- Interrupting others when they are talking
- Over-sharing
- Impatience (i.e., road rage, leaving a store because there is a line, wanting others to “get the point!!”)
- Acting before thinking
Adults with ADHD experience hyperactivity differently from kids. For adults, this might look like rapidly switching jobs, spending money impulsively, or not being able to sleep because you can’t “shut your brain off.”
Combined Presentation (the most common type of ADHD)
This is the most common diagnosis of ADHD. Individuals with the combined type have both inattentive and hyperactive traits, which can create challenges in their lives.
Adults with ADHD often struggle with the following:
- Career stagnation
- Work performance issues
- Burn out
- Sustaining healthy relationships
- Self-esteem
Undiagnosed ADHD can also lead to other mental health issues. For example, about 70% of adults with ADHD also have depression, anxiety, or some other diagnosis.
The good news?
ADHD is highly treatable and manageable once properly identified.
ADD vs ADHD: Why Do the Terms Matter?
As an ADHD therapist in Cincinnati, I recognize that there is a lot of confusion over ADHD. People see ADHD and think depression or anxiety, when that might not be the case. As mentioned, ADHD also actually does co-occur with other conditions. This means it’s hard to know whether it’s depression or ADHD. The lack of accurate understanding leads many adults with ADHD to feel chronically misunderstood and alone. The correct terms can feel validating, empowering, and hopeful.
When Should You Consider ADHD Testing in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Considering an ADHD test is a big decision. It usually costs money and takes time. However, by the time a person with ADHD reaches adulthood, they find life unbearably overwhelming.
Undiagnosed ADHD can lead to struggling to meet your potential at work and in relationships. Uncovering the right diagnosis with Focused Mind ADHD Counseling can be the key to finding the right tools for success.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis With ADHD Testing in Cincinnati, OH
If you have been wondering whether your symptoms are related to ADHD or what used to be called ADD, a professional evaluation can provide the clarity you need. ADHD testing and counseling help many adults better understand their focus, organization, and attention challenges while identifying the most effective treatment options.
Our Cincinnati ADHD testing and therapy center offers both in-person and virtual assessments conducted by clinicians who specialize in adult ADHD. The evaluation process is designed to be clear, supportive, and thorough so you can better understand your symptoms and how they may be affecting work, relationships, and everyday life.
Here is how to get started:
- Submit our online contact form to request ADHD testing. A clinical director or intake coordinator will reach out to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
- Meet with an ADHD assessment specialist in Cincinnati who will guide you through the evaluation and answer your questions about ADHD, ADD, and related symptoms.
- Receive clear diagnostic results and personalized recommendations, helping you move forward with counseling, treatment, and practical strategies that fit your needs.
You do not have to keep guessing about your symptoms. A thoughtful ADHD assessment can provide the answers and support needed to move forward with confidence.
Other Services With Focused Mind ADHD Counseling in Cincinnati & Across Ohio
Understanding whether your symptoms fall under ADHD, formerly called ADD, can be the first step toward meaningful change. Through professional ADHD testing and therapy, many adults gain clarity about how attention challenges affect their focus, emotions, and daily responsibilities, while learning strategies that help them function with greater confidence.
At Focused Mind ADHD Counseling, ADHD assessments are only one part of the care we offer. Our practice provides both in-person and online ADHD-informed services for adults, including therapy that addresses common concerns linked to ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, relationship stress, and identity-related challenges. Our clinicians work closely with clients to turn the insights from testing into practical tools that support better organization, emotional regulation, and long-term well-being.
We also offer specialized counseling for men with ADHD, women with ADHD, ADHD-focused couples therapy, and group therapy options for additional support and connection. To continue learning outside of sessions, our blog features therapist-written articles and helpful resources that explain ADHD in clear terms and offer strategies for navigating everyday life more effectively.
About the Author
Billy Roberts, LISW-S, LCSW, is the founder of Focused Mind ADHD Counseling and a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in adult ADHD. Based in Columbus, Ohio, he provides ADHD testing and therapy to help adults better understand attention challenges, including questions about ADHD versus what was previously called ADD. Billy’s ADHD-informed approach to assessment and counseling has been featured in Time Magazine, CNN, HuffPost, and Forbes, where he shares insights on helping individuals gain clarity about their symptoms and build healthier relationships, communication patterns, and daily routines.
