The Different Types, or Styles, of ADHD

Research literature, recent books, and common sense,moodiness.
all point to the fact that there are different types, orOur classifications at the ADHD Information Library are
styles, of ADHD. In the past we referred to Attentiona bit different, and are based on our clinical observation
Deficit Disorder: Inattentive Type, or Impulsiveand experiences. They are based on the classic
Hyperactive Type, or a Combined Type. Today thechildren's stories of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in
diagnostic differences are a bit less clear, but thethe Hundred Acre Wood.
reality doesn't change.- Winnie the Pooh Type ADD - Pooh Bear is
Dr. Daniel Amen has written a great book on theinattentive, distractible, and disorganized. He is very
subject, titled "Healing ADHD:The Breakthroughnice, but lives in a cloud.
Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6- Tigger Type ADD - Tigger is inattentive to details,
Types of ADD" where he uses his SPECT scans ofimpulsive, hyperactive, restless, very bouncy. He is the
patient's brain activity to help in making his sixclassic hyperactive child.
classifications. His classifications include these "Types"- Eeyore Type ADD - Eeyore is inattentive, but also
...lives with a chronic low-grade depression. Lots of
- Classic ADD - Inattentive, distractible, disorganized.people with ADHD do also. In fact some studies
Perhaps hyperactive, restless and impulsive. Inattentivesuggest that as many as 25% of people with ADHD
ADD - Inattentive, and disorganized.also battle depression to some degree or another.
- Over-focused ADD - Trouble shifting attention,- Piglet Type ADD - Piglet has trouble shifting attention
frequently stuck in loops of negative thoughts,from one activity to another, is excessively worried,
obsessive, excessive worry, inflexible, oppositional andand is easily startled.
argumentative.- Rabbit Type ADD - Rabbit has trouble shifting
- Temporal Lobe ADD - Inattentive and irritable,attention, he seems inflexible, he must have his own
aggressive, dark thoughts, mood instability, veryway, and he can be argumentative if he doesn't get
impulsive. May break rules, fight, be defiant, and veryhis way.
disobedient. Poor handwriting and trouble learning are- Troubled Type ADD - Irritable, aggressive, impulsive,
common.defiant, disobedient. Learning problems.
- Limbic System ADD - Inattentive, chronic low-gradeEach of these types of ADHD (using either Amen's
depression, negative, low energy, feelings ofsystem or ours) will have different treatment needs
hopelessness and worthlessness.and approaches. You can learn more about each type
- Ring of Fire ADD - Inattentive, extremely distractible,of ADHD, and read our recommended treatment
angry, irritable, overly sensitive to the environment,programs for each type.
hyperverbal, extremely oppositional, possible cyclic