Combined ADHD Type: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Reviewed by: Dr Darren O’Reilly
Published date: February 12, 2026
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder believed to affect approximately 3-4% of adults and around 5% of children and young people in the United Kingdom. Combined ADHD is one of its three subtypes.
What is combined ADHD, what are its symptoms, and what makes it different from other ADHD subtypes? We at AuDHD Psychiatry, a specialist-led ADHD assessment clinic in the UK, provide answers.
Key Takeaways
- ADHD is a prevalent developmental disorder among adults and children.
- Combined ADHD is one of its subtypes; the other two types are inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
- The ADHD combined type is a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations.
- A combined ADHD diagnosis requires meeting the diagnostic criteria of both inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
What Is the Combined ADHD Subtype?
Combined ADHD is ADHD that presents as both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. In other words, someone diagnosed with combined ADHD must satisfy the diagnostic criteria of both the inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations.
Combined ADHD Diagnosis Criteria
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), classifies ADHD symptoms into two categories. They are symptoms of inattention, and symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Someone being evaluated for ADHD will be assessed according to their predominant symptoms. If they have several inattention symptoms but few to no hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms, they are diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. If the hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are more dominant, they are diagnosed with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
However, there are instances when the ADHD symptoms are similarly distributed across the two categories. When someone meets the diagnosis criteria for both inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, they are diagnosed with combined ADHD.
The Specific Criteria for the Diagnosis of ADHD Combined Type
A specialist makes a combined ADHD diagnosis when someone has:
- At least six inattention symptoms if below 17 years; at least five if 17 years or older
- At least six hyperactive-impulsive symptoms if below 17 years; at least five if 17 years or older
The following conditions must also be fulfilled:
- The symptoms have persisted for the last six months.
- Several symptoms were already present before age 12.
- Several symptoms are evident in at least two settings (e.g., at home, at work, in school).
- The symptoms are demonstrably or evidently disruptive, interfering with their ability to function (or function well) in specific settings.
The symptoms cannot be solely attributed to some other condition. For instance, while ADHD and autism may overlap, your clinician will make sure they do not wrongly attribute autism symptoms to ADHD (and vice versa).
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Symptoms of Combined ADHD
Since the ADHD combined type is a mixture of the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentations, combined ADHD symptoms encompass both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms.
Specifically, someone with the ADHD combined presentation must have:
At least six (or at least five for adults) of these inattention symptoms:
- Often makes careless mistakes
- Often unable to stay focused on tasks or activities
- Not listening even when spoken to directly; distracted even when there’s no obvious distraction
- Often gets distracted, causing failure to complete or follow through on tasks, duties, and chores
- Often finds it difficult to organise tasks and activities, leading to poor time management and missed deadlines
- Often refuses to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
- Often misplaces and loses things
- Attention is easily drawn away by external stimuli or distractions
- Often forgets daily tasks, activities, chores, and appointments
At least six (or at least five for adults) of these hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms:
Hyperactivity symptoms
- Often fidgety hands and feet, squirming in their seats
- Often unable to stay seated even when they’re expected to remain seated
- Often running and jumping around, even when such is inappropriate; restlessness in adults
- Often finds participating in quiet, leisure activities challenging
- Often seemingly busy and moving, as if they are being driven by a motor
- Often wouldn’t stop talking
Impulsivity symptoms
- Often blurts out an answer before the question is finished (impulsivity symptom)
- Often finds it difficult waiting their turn (e.g., waiting in line)
- Often interrupts other people’s conversations, starts using other people’s things without first seeking permission, takes over what others are doing, and intrudes on others
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Combined ADHD vs Inattentive ADHD and Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
The ADHD combined presentation is different from the inattentive ADHD type because it also meets the criteria for hyperactive-impulsive ADHD. Likewise, the ADHD combined type is distinct from the hyperactive-impulsive ADHD type because it also meets the criteria for inattentive ADHD.
In other words, someone diagnosed with combined ADHDhas both inattentive ADHD and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
Inattentive ADHD in children and adults can manifest as outward calm and quiet. It presents as an inward focus, so someone with inattentive ADHD may appear lost in their own world or thoughts.
Aside: This checklist of ADHD symptoms in children provides more information.
The hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms in adults and children often manifest as restlessness or impatience, which can be subtle or overt. Someone with hyperactive ADHD can seem incapable of controlling their impulses and unable to stay quiet and sit still.
Combined ADHD leads to a mixed presentation. Someone with this type of ADHD may alternate between inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. They can be inwardly drawn one moment and overtly energetic the next.
Note: ADHD symptoms in women may present more subtly than symptoms of ADHD in men. This can lead to underdiagnosis and untreated ADHD in female adults.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have Combined ADHD?
Combined ADHD is a mixture of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. It manifests as a lack of focus and an inability to stay quiet and still.
Do you have combined ADHD? Know once and for all and finally get the life-changing ADHD treatment and support you need. Start with an ADHD test. Better yet, schedule an ADHD assessment with an ADHD specialist.
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https://adhduk.co.uk/about-adhd/
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https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/patient_care/adhd_toolkit/adhd19-assessment-table1.pdf
Arnold, L. Eugene. (2020, August 20). Can you outgrow ADHD or does it stay with you into adulthood? The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/our-stories/adult-adhd
Attention Deficit Disorder Association. (n.d.). Understanding ADHD.
https://add.org/adhd-combined-type/
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adhdadd
Kavanaugh, Brian Coyne. (2025, December 2). Understanding the different types of ADHD: What parents should know. Brown Health University.
https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/understanding-different-types-adhd-what-parents-should-know
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https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 16). Symptoms of ADHD.
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https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
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