7 Types of ADHD in Adults

So, what are the 7 types of ADHD in adults and how can they get treatment for it? Characterizing ADD/ADHD by hyperactivity and a lack of impulse control and attention.

However these symptoms can vary by the individual and not all the symptoms must be present to diagnose ADD/ADHD.

In fact, there are several different types of ADD/ADHD and understanding these different types is a crucial aspect in developing an effective treatment plan.

All things considered, any adult with ADD/ADHD was once a child with ADD/ADHD that went undiagnosed until adulthood. Usually adults with ADD/ADHD receive a diagnosis after experiencing problems in the workplace or with their personal relationships.

Possible symptoms of ADD/ADHD in adults can include:

Firstly, Perpetual lateness
Easily distracted
Emotional outbursts
Fourthly, Disorganization
Intent focus on things they find interesting
Inability to focus on things they find boring
Additionally, Trouble with personal relationships
Trouble in the workplace
Have a hard time starting challenging tasks
Lastly, Issues with establishing priorities

The 7 Types of ADHD in Adults Include:

Classic ADD

Dr. Amen’s, a psychiatrist and nuclear brain imaging specialist, definition of classic ADD is the form of ADD that aligns with what most people call ADHD.

All in all, people with classic ADD are generally inattentive, easily distracted, disorganized, hyperactive, unable to sit still, and impulsive.

SPECT scans have determined that people with classic ADD lack blood flow in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.

Because of associating the basal ganglia with the production of dopamine, the usual treatment for classic ADD deals with increasing dopamine levels.

Inattentive:

Individuals with inattentive ADD do not suffer from hyperactivity, but are easily distracted, sluggish, slow moving, and lack motivation.

Because this form of ADD diagnosing is later in life, it doesn’t cause behavioral problems, it is usually diagnosing later in life. It is also more commonly seen in females.

Individuals with inattentive ADD also have reduced blood flow to their prefrontal cortex which causes low levels of dopamine.

Thus, their treatment is similar for those with classic ADD and focuses on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain.

Overfocused:

Those with overfocused ADD display all the symptoms of classic ADD, but also have difficulty shifting their attention to new topics and a habit of becoming stuck in negative thought loops.

They also demonstrate obsessive behavior, worry excessively, are inflexible, and frequently exhibit argumentative behavior.

Those with overfocused ADD lack both serotonin and dopamine, thus their treatment revolves around boosting their serotonin and dopamine levels.

Temporal Lobe:

At length, people affected with temporal lobe ADD exhibit symptoms of classic ADD coupled with irritability, a quick temper, aggression, dark thoughts, mood instability, and mild paranoia.

They may also have learning or memory problems. People affected with temporal lobe ADD have reduced brain activity in their prefrontal cortex, as well as irregularities in their temporal lobes.

By centering around combatting the temporal lobe, treatment for temporal lobe ADD settles irregularities by regulating neuronal activity.

Therefore, dictating by an individual’s symptoms, treatment may take a variety of forms.

Limbic:

Of the 7 types of ADHD in adults, people affected with temporal lobe ADD exhibit symptoms of classic ADD coupled with irritability, a quick temper, aggression, dark thoughts, mood instability, and mild paranoia.

They may also have learning or memory problems. People affected with temporal lobe ADD have reduced brain activity in their prefrontal cortex, as well as irregularities in their temporal lobes.

Therefore, treatment for temporal lobe ADD is centered around combatting the temporal lobe irregularities by regulating neuronal activity.

Therefore, dictating by an individual’s symptoms, treatment may take a variety of forms.

Ring of Fire:

Ring of fire ADD is the name given to individuals who, in short, have an overactive brain.

Overactivity in the cerebral cortex and other parts of the brain cause all the classic symptoms of ADD in addition to being extremely easily distracted, angry, irritable, and overly sensitive to stimuli such as noise, light, and touch.

Consequently, individuals with ring of fire ADD tend to be highly inflexible, very verbal, argumentative, and moody. Treatment usually consists of reducing the hyperactivity in the brain.

Anxious:

Individuals with anxious ADD exhibit the classic symptoms of ADD, but with additional feelings of anxiety and tension.

They also can exhibit physical symptoms of stress such as headaches, stomachaches, and freezing in anxiety-inducing situations.

They also tend to worry and anticipate the worst in every situation. Individuals with anxious ADD have increased activity levels in their basal ganglia, which is oppositional to every other type of ADD.

Treatment for anxious ADD includes increasing GABA and dopamine levels while promoting relaxation.

Combination:

With all these variations of ADD, it is also possible to have a combination case. In fact, ADHD combined type is the most commonly occurring type of ADHD.

To be diagnosed with a combination case of ADD, your child will need to have at least six of more symptoms from the various lists and these symptoms must be present for more than six months.

Also, symptoms should have been present before the age of twelve and must occur in various settings. Individuals will also be diagnosed with a severity level of mild, moderate, or severe.

Treatments for 7 Types of ADHD in Adults can include:

Medication. There are several types of medication licensed to treat ADHD, including stimulants and nonstimulants. Being that, stimulants like Adderall can help people concentrate better, feel calmer, and be less impulsive. Nonstimulants like Atomoxetine (Strattera), Clonidine (Kapvay), and Guanfacine (Intuniv) can also be used. Some medications need to be taken every day, while others can be taken just on school days. Treatment breaks may also be recommended to assess if the medication is still needed.
Psychological counseling. Also known as psychotherapy, this can help treat ADHD and any mental health conditions that occur alongside it.
Other behavioral treatments. Furthermore, these can include cognitive and behavioral therapy, relaxation training, stress management, life coaching, and job coaching or mentoring.

Psychotherapy may help you:

Firstly, improve your time management and organizational skills
Learn how to reduce your impulsive behavior
Develop better problem-solving skills
Fourthly, cope with past academic, work or social failures
Improve your self-esteem
Learn ways to improve relationships with your family, co-workers and friends
Lastly, develop strategies for controlling your temper

Other treatments may also include:

Education, Skills training, Psychoeducation, Coping strategies, Vocational accommodations, Family therapy, Drug contracts, and Ongoing monitoring for adverse effects.

Online ADHD Treatment for Adults

Even more, there are many online options for ADHD treatment for adults, including telehealth platforms, psychiatry practices, and other services:

PlushCare. Forthwith, a telehealth platform that offers online therapy and referrals to board-certified doctors who can evaluate ADHD and prescribe medication
Circle Medical. Also offers online care from primary care providers who can review self-assessment tests and develop personalized treatment plans
Talkiatry. Moreover, a national psychiatry practice that offers virtual care from psychiatrists who work with patients to develop treatment plans
Cerebral. Likewise, a telehealth service that offers talk therapy and medication, and provides a free online ADHD self-test
RedBox Rx. In addition, this offers video chats with medical providers for $25 per consult

Coexisting conditions

Although ADHD doesn’t cause other psychological or developmental problems, other disorders often occur along with ADHD and make treatment more challenging. These include:

Mood disorders. Many adults with ADHD also have depression, bipolar disorder or another mood disorder. While mood problems aren’t necessarily due directly to ADHD, a repeated pattern of failures and frustrations due to ADHD can worsen depression.
Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders occur fairly often in adults with ADHD. Therefore, anxiety disorders may cause overwhelming worry, nervousness and other symptoms. Anxiety can be made worse by the challenges and setbacks caused by ADHD.
Other psychiatric disorders. In brief, adults with ADHD are at increased risk of other psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorders, intermittent explosive disorder and substance use disorders.
Learning disabilities. Nonetheless, adults with ADHD may score lower on academic testing than would be expected for their age, intelligence and education. Learning disabilities can include problems with understanding and communicating.

Conclusion

Regardless, every individual with ADHD is unique, and the ways it manifests will vary from person to person.

While some might assume that adult ADHD only affects work performance, it can also impact personal relationships, including marriage and parenting.

Otherwise, ADHD treatment involving therapy, medication management, and lifestyle changes can help you learn the skills and tools to manage your symptoms.

Through personalized, evidence-based care, a full, productive life is possible. Until next time…