Hyperactive, Inattentive, or Combined ADHD: How to Tell the Difference (Without Overthinking It)

Let’s be honest Figuring out your ADHD type can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions.

You’re staring at a bunch of pieces, wondering, “Is this hyperactivity or am I just caffeinated?!”

Good news: I’m here to break it down, ADHD-friendly style.

First, what even are the types of ADHD?

There are three:

• Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
• Inattentive Type
• Combined Type

Think of it like this: ADHD isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s like having a playlist on shuffle — you might get loud party anthems, chill background music, or both at the same time.

1. Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD

If this is you, you might:

• Interrupt people mid-sentence (not rude, just ideas flying out like confetti).
• Feel like your brain has 47 tabs open, all buffering.
• Struggle to sit still (desk tapping, foot bouncing, pacing while on calls — yep).
• Do things without thinking it all the way through (impulse buys, anyone?).
• Get labeled as "too much" or "always on the go."

Relatable moment: You try to relax, but relaxing feels like doing nothing… which feels illegal.

2. Inattentive ADHD

This one is sneakier because from the outside, you look "calm" — but inside, it's mental fireworks.

Signs:

• Zoning out in conversations, even when you care.
• Missing details (like forgetting the entire meeting you were supposed to lead).
• Daydreaming so hard you miss your exit… three exits ago.
• Losing things constantly: keys, wallet, phone (all in your hand, somehow).
• Starting tasks and abandoning them halfway through because your brain said, "We’re bored!"

Relatable moment: You reread the same paragraph six times, still have no idea what it says.

3. Combined ADHD

Surprise! You’re the mixtape of ADHD.
Both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms show up for you.

You might:

• Talk a mile a minute and forget what you were talking about.
• Feel restless but also struggle to start things.
• Hyperfocus on the wrong thing while forgetting the right thing entirely.
• Basically, it feels like your brain has two DJs playing at the same time, and they’re not on the same beat.

Relatable moment: You’re running late because you got distracted while rushing.

So, how do you tell which one you are?

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel more mentally restless (Inattentive)?
• Do I feel more physically restless (Hyperactive)?
• Or do I feel both? (Combined!)

It’s also okay if you’re not 100% sure ADHD can show up differently at different times in your life. Hormones, stress, even sleep can turn the dial up or down.

And remember: None of these types are "better" or "worse."

They’re just different flavors of a brain that processes the world a little differently.

Want to go deeper?

I made an ADHD Guide that helps you figure out your type and gives you practical, ADHD-friendly tools to manage it. (No fluff. Just real talk.)
[Grab it here!] 

tabletalker.gumroad.com/l/nztgh

Because understanding your brain is the first step to working with it, not against it.

Conclusion:

Whether you’re bouncing off the walls, lost in thought, or a beautiful chaotic combo of both — you’re not broken. You’re just wired differently.

And with the right tools, you can make that wiring work for you.

Your brain is spicy, not broken. Own it!