A recent popular theory proposes 7 types of ADHD. This concept may be appealing for some clients and clinicians to help make sense of a difficult experience. But are there 7 ADHD subtypes as he proposed? Fewer subtypes? More?
Psychiatrist Daniel Amen’s claim of 7 types of ADHD seems to have primarily derived this from clinical measurements and observation (as opposed to structured studies). Sometimes clinical observation can yield strongly-supported theoretical advancements. For example, Piaget made by his own observations for his theories on child cognitive development. And research supported Piaget’s theories.
In this case, however, research has not supported 7 types of ADHD or quick treatment “fixes” for each. Study outcomes have consistently supported a 3 subtype structure for ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and combined types. Diagnostics allows for individuals to experience some symptoms, but not others. However, other symptom combinations have not proven unique in their characteristics, causes, or effectiveness of treatment.
It has always been common for clients to report attention difficulties. But wait… is it possible for all of them to have ADHD? Did they not have ADHD before and suddenly do now?
The increasing popularity of ADHD and multiple types may contribute to its over-diagnosis in the population. Outside of what we all see in our offices and communities, structured research has uncovered that there remains a prevalence rate of 2.58% of persistent ADHD in the global population. That number may seem low to many of us. But other very common reasons exist for attention difficulties.
Difficulties with attention and focus are key features of major depression and anxiety disorders. Those disorders are highly common reasons individuals seek treatment in general. Additionally, research has found that depression and anxiety are characterized by attentional bias toward negative content and away from positive content. Rumination and heavy focus on certain types of information makes it difficult to be cognitively present to pay attention to a current situation.
Clients can have legitimate and difficult impacts on attention. Knowing and assessing for the types and possible other reasons for their attention difficulties can come at small cost in time. But this assessment can have big payoffs in our ability to provide accurate assessment and on-point treatment.
