Nearly 17 million Americans have Attention Deficit Disorder. It is the most common behavioral issue among children and one of the most common among adults. Dr. Daniel Amen is a board certified psychiatrist who studies nuclear brain imaging in children and adults. His cutting edge work has led to many discoveries and findings regarding brain function. This series of articles summarizes the 6 types of Attention Deficit Disorder and the specifics involved with each type. I will also discuss how to implement strategies for organization for those who suffer from ADD.
I find Dr. Amens research fascinating and feel he is truly the best in the business when it comes to brain function and ADD and how it affects organization and everyday life. I hope you find this information as helpful as I have! If youd like to check his work out a little further go to www.danielamenmd.com.
Classic ADD
Type 1 or Classic ADD is what people think of when they think of ADD. Sufferers with this type of ADD may experience some or all of the following symptoms: difficulty listening, difficulty following through on tasks, forgetfulness, fidgeting, impulsiveness, restlessness, distractible, hyperactive and trouble concentrating. Type 1 is evidenced early in life. A child with Classic ADD is typically very active, hard to sooth or colicky and makes less eye contact than other children. Some children with Type 1 ADD may have trouble bonding with their parents as they are in constant motion, demanding and talkative. They need constant excitement. Classic ADD evolves due to a decrease in the neurotransmitter dopamine which is a chemical involved with focus, attention span and motivation. When dopamine is depleted, people tend to struggle with Type 1 ADD. Untreated, adults with Type 1 ADD will also experience similar symptoms.
Inattentive ADD
This is the second most common form of ADD. It is more frequently undiagnosed. Individuals with Inattentive ADD are labeled as lazy or unmotivated. They are the children who daydream in school when they should be paying attention. People with this form of ADD struggle to find motivation to complete tasks. Girls are diagnosed with Inattentive ADD more than boys. Those with this 2nd Type of ADD are easily distracted, are disorganized, lose things, is sluggish or slow moving, spacey and preoccupied. This type of ADD responds well to treatment when diagnosed correctly.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD is thought to be the third most common form of ADD according to Dr Daniel Amen. In addition to the core symptoms of ADD, sufferers with Type 3 have difficulty shifting their focus and become stuck in negative thinking patterns. They obsessively worry, are prone to compulsions, have difficulty listening to the opinions of others and need to have things completed in a certain way. It is often seen in those who abuse substances or in children or grandchildren of alcoholics. Amen states the reason people with Type 3 ADD get stuck in negative thinking patterns is due to excessive activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus portion of the brain. People get “locked” in negative thinking when this part of the brain is overactive.
Temporal Lobe ADD
Type 4 ADD is marked by severe behavioral problems. These individuals struggle with mood swings, anger, memory problems and learning disabilities. Other characteristics of Temporal Lobe ADD include increased sensitivity, is short fused, has periods of panic, sees things, has a history of head injury and may have dark or even suicidal thoughts. Sufferers of Type 4 ADD demonstrate decreased activity in the temporal lobes and decreased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex of the brain when performing tasks. Dr Amen states that in order for a diagnosis to be positive for Temporal Lobe ADD, core ADD symptoms must be present for an extended amount of time.
Limbic ADD
The 5th type of ADD intersects with depression. The core symptoms are there plus moodiness, low energy levels, irritability, hopeless feelings, low interest in leisure activities, changes in sleep patterns and low self esteem. Again, in Limbic ADD there is a decrease in prefrontal cortex activity at rest and with concentration and too much activity in the emotional center or deep limbic portion of the brain. This is the part of the brain that controls the emotions. When the deep limbic system is highly active, negative emotions take over wherein at rest, or less active, the deep limbic system evokes a positive and more hopeful state of mind.
Ring of Fire ADD
The 6th and final ADD type gets its name from the picture on a brain scan that resembles a ring of hyperactivity around the brain. Individuals with this type of ADD are aggressive and angry, have mood changes and unpredictable behavior, present with anxiety, talk fast and are inflexible. This type of ADD is often associated with Bi Polar disorder however it is not the same. “Ring of Fire” ADD presents itself on a more consistent basis where bipolar is cyclical with times of relative normality and times of irritable and aggressive behavior. Although, a person can be diagnosed with both disorders and Amen states more than half of people with Bi polar disorder also meet criteria for ADD.
Stay tuned for more on this topic and suggestions on how you can help your loved ones or even yourself with the help of professional organization.
Kirsten Gross Professional Organizing LLC
kgprofessionalorganizer@gmail.com
