Have you ever noticed how a majority of persons respond “it must be my ADD” whenever they cannot focus or are having problems remembering, starting, or completing something?  In fact, it is so common that it appears that the world, or at least the United States, has developed societal ADD over time.  And, as time marches on, the evolution of ADD has also taken place.  The primary place to examine this progression is in our terminology, as ADD is no more and ADHD is now the heading that encompasses this “disorder.”  Further examination unveils that 7 types of ADHD exist.  Regarding these type, Dr. Daniel Amen writes via ADDitude Magazine online to explain the differences.  The following is a brief glimpse into his comments on the variety of ADHD that exists.

First, Classic ADHD is the easiest to identify.  Symptoms include inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, disorganization, and impulsivity.  The lack of blood flow in certain parts of the brain, which leads to lowered dopamine levels and in-turn to decreased focus.

Second, Inattentive ADHD persons typically will have short attentions spans, procrastination, disorganization, and distractibility.  These persons, however, do not normally display hyperactivity or impulsivity.  Often, they are introverted and seemingly daydream a lot.  Again, low levels of dopamine tend to be the catalyst.

Third, Over-focused ADHD comes with all the core ADHD symptoms along with trouble shifting focus and getting stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.  A combination of serotonin and dopamine are the causal agents.  The brain for over-focused ADHD has too much activity, which makes it difficult to go from task to task, thought to thought, and to be flexible.

Fourth, Temporal Lobe ADHD persons exhibit the common ADHD symptoms along with temporal lobe symptoms.  Therefore, persons with this type of ADHD usually have learning, memory, and behavioral problems.  They can be prone to aggression and paranoia.  For temporal lobe ADHD, abnormalities are found in the temporal lobes during a brain scan.

Fifth, Limbic ADHD appears similar to chronic low-level sadness and ADHD.  Symptoms include low energy, moodiness, feeling helpless or guilt, and low self-esteem.  The person, however, does not have depression.  Rather, the limbic part of the brain has too much activity.

Sixth, persons who have “Ring of Fire” ADHD have all of their brain that is overactive.  As such, they endure great sensitivity across their senses and may experience unpredictable behavior that can be mean along with talking quickly and having great fear and anxiety.  A brain scan would reveal a ring of hyperactivity around the brain.

Seventh, Anxious ADHD exists with classic ADHD symptoms along with anxiety that is displayed through physical stress.  Examples of this type of stress include headaches, stomachaches, doomsday mentality, and inability to function in moments of high anxiety especially if they could be judged.  Being overactive in the regions of the brain that produce dopamine is a consistent piece for this diagnosis.

For more information, please visit http://www.chadd.org/