The 6 Different Types of ADD
- In ADHD (Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) there is non stop Fidgetiness,
Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness or Impulsivity from early childhood –
ADD babies may even be noticeably hyperactive in their mother’s uterus
before they are born. Around 80% of
males and 50% of females with ADD have this type. They respond well to the Stimulants
Dexamphetamine and Ritalin and to stimulant type “antidepressants”, which
wake up the front part of their brain by stimulating the base of the brain
to increase the production of the very important brain chemicals
Noradrenalin and Dopamine, (“Antidepressant”
is a misleadingly narrow and very unhelpful term for these medications
which, apart from being helpful for depression, are also helpful for
anxiety disorders, most types of ADD, some sleep/arousal/energy disorders
and low selfesteem/ selfconfidence, all of which are related to
insufficient flows of Serotonin, Noradrenalin and Dopamine. The most
stimulating “antidepressants” are usually reboxetine, venlafaxine XR,
fluoxetine and sertraline although each person may respond differently to
these medications. I call them “morning” antidepressants because of their
stimulant effect. Even mirtazepine and fluvoxamine stimulate Noradrenalin
and Dopamine production, despite their sedative effect but because of
their sedative effect I call them “evening” antidepressants).
- In ADDD (Inattentive
ADD or Attention Deficit Daydreaming Disorder)
there is poor concentration and a
tendency to Daydream. This type
is present in around 50% of females with ADD but is less common in
males. People with ADDD respond
well to the Stimulants Dexamphetamine and Ritalin, and also to stimulant
type “antidepressants”, as well as mirtazepine and fluvoxamine.
- In ADOD (Overfocussed
ADD or Attention Deficit Overfocussed Disorder),which is probably the 3rd commonest form of
ADD, the person often focuses excessively on one particular thing or
activity, to the neglect of most other things (ie, has tunnel vision),
which causes problems for them and for those around them. They also feel distressed or irritable
whenever they have to switch their attention from what they are focussing
on, to something else. This form of ADD responds well to stimulant type
“antidepressants” such as venlafaxine XR or fluoxetine. The Stimulants Dexamphetamine and
Ritalin may make ADOD sufferers even more Overfocussed and may be
unhelpful for this type of ADD.
- In ADAD (Temporal
Lobe ADD or Attention Deficit Aggravated Disorder) the special features
include Irritability, Anger, Aggravation and sometimes Rage and Violence
eg road rage. Unless first
started on anticonvulsant/mood stabilizing medicines such as
carbamazepine, sodium valproate or lamotrigine to control these features,
these patients are often made even more irritable and aggravated by the
stimulants Dexamphetamine and Ritalin and by stimulant type
“antidepressants”. As well as the usual Frontal Lobe sluggishness ADAD is
associated with a malfunction of one or both of the Temporal Lobes of the
brain which is what causes the irritability. It is also often associated
with déjà vu (feeling you have been in places before when you really
haven’t been), and may sometimes be associated with unusually poor memory.
- In ADLD (Limbic ADD
or Attention Deficit Low or Depressive Disorder) there is Moodiness,
Pessimism, Recurring Negative Thinking, and Low Energy, Low Interest and
Low Self Esteem. Stimulant type
“antidepressants” work well in these cases as there is a need for the
brain Serotonin levels, as well as the Noradrenalin and Dopamine levels,
to be raised.
In ADAD++ (Ring of
Fire ADD or Attention Deficit Aggravated++ Disorder) there is extreme Sensitivity,
Irritability, Distractibility, Aggravation, Rage, Aggression and sometimes
Violence, due to overactivity in several parts of the brain. These patients
really bounce off the walls, are very distressed/distressing, and are often
well known to the Police. They need
immediate treatment with anticonvulsant/mood stabilisers such as carbamazepine,
sodium valproate or lamotrigine and/or major tranquillizers/antipsychotics such
as quetiapine, amisulpride, risperidone, Pericyazine or olanzepine to calm the
overactive parts of their brain, before they can tolerate any stimulating
medications to activate the underactive parts of their brain. Ring of Fire ADD
was given that name by Dr Daniel Amen when he found that brain scans showed a
circle of overactive tissue in the brains of people suffering from this type of
ADD.
What is ADD?
10 Common Features of All Types of ADD
What Causes ADD?
How Can I Screen for ADD?
How Can I Manage ADD?
