“Could I have ADHD?” If you have asked this even once, it will be a good idea to learn more about ADHD symptoms. If you haven’t, it’s still worth reading this article as somebody you know might have it.
According to Meredith Carder, the author of It All Makes Sense Now, ADHD is often misunderstood as attention deficit, not attention dysregulation. In fact, ADHDers could have an abundance of attention rather than a deficiency. They can easily switch from extreme distraction to hyperfocus. That’s why ADHD diagnosis mustn’t solely be done by reading online articles. If, after reading this one, you can relate to either of the 7 types of ADHD, we recommend consulting your doctor.
There are different classifications of ADHD/ADD. This article demonstrates the one coined by psychiatrist and nuclear brain imaging specialist Dr. Daniel G. Amen in his book Healing ADD.
1. Classic ADD
Classic ADD is the most well-known type. Do you often feel inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive? If now you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s me,” perhaps you are the one with this ADHD type. To put it simply, you feel this way because your brain doesn’t produce enough dopamine, making it hard to focus.
Note that the symptoms can range from mild to severe, and as well as with other types of ADD, not everyone will have all symptoms.
2. Inattentive ADD
Inattentive ADD is more commonly seen in women. If you think of yourself as a “daydreamer,” check off Classic ADD from your list and concentrate on Inattentive ADD. Are you struggling with being constantly distracted, sluggish, or unmotivated? Although everyone has such problems occasionally, for people with this type of ADHD, these symptoms interfere with their lives, be it work, school, or relationships.
3. Overfocused ADD
Imagine all your plans went awry, would you just let it go or get stuck in your negative thoughts? If you chose the second one, you could tick the box with one of the Overfocused ADD symptoms. Check out if you also worry excessively or struggle to switch tasks. What’s more, do you become hyper-aware of your “stuckness?” If yes, there is a high chance of you having Overfocused ADD.
4. Temporal Lobe ADD
According to Dr. Amen’s research, Temporal Lobe ADD is characterized by abnormal activity in the temporal lobe. It results in mood swings, irritability, aggression, and even dark thoughts. Individuals with this ADHD type often have memory issues, episodes of déjà vu, and headaches or abdominal pain of uncertain origin. Too often, it turns into a battle with difficulty recalling details, processing information, and managing emotions.
5. Limbic ADD
Feeling down and exhausted all the time? Do friends call you overly pessimistic or too moody? You may have Limbic ADD. In people with this ADHD type, the part of the brain responsible for emotional control and the “fight or flight” response is overactive. The results? Procrastination, reduced productivity, lack of focus, and, finally, failing to care for yourself. Seek ADHD help from professionals and reliable data from the ADHD Institute.
6. Ring of Fire ADD
As we’ve already mentioned, ADHD isn’t always about attention deficiency, and the Ring of Fire ADD is a testament to this. People with this form are susceptible to stimuli (like noise and light), very verbal, moody, and easily irritated. It happens because their brains are overactive. In brain scans, this looks like a “ring” of overactivity, hence the name. Be careful, as Ring of Fire ADD is often mistaken for bipolar disorder, particularly in children.
7. Anxious ADD
Low activity in the prefrontal cortex and overactivity in the basal ganglia are the reasons for Anxious ADD. People with this type struggle with stress, tension, and physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches. When it comes to Anxious ADD, individuals always expect the worst and are too afraid of making mistakes. As a result, such people have self-doubt issues and struggle with maintaining relationships.
Even if you don’t fit neatly into one category, it’s still possible you have ADHD. Combined ADHD is the most common diagnosis, which includes symptoms from multiple types. Here is the website where you can take an ADHD test online. However, we still recommend consulting a professional. This way, you won’t make wrong assumptions or, even worse, threaten your well-being.
