Amen University
Think all ADD is the same? Wrong! Most people don’t realize that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), isn’t a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. In fact, there are seven types of ADD, and they each have their own set of ADD symptoms and treatment protocols.
That’s why learning which type you (or a loved one) may be struggling with is one of the most important discoveries you can make in your mental health journey.
From mood swings and low motivation to impulsivity and forgetfulness, ADHD symptoms can look different depending on the person. Understanding these seven types of ADHD can give you clarity and direction, especially when it feels like nothing seems to work.
By understanding the different ADD types, it’s easier to find personalized brain health strategies that can help you thrive.
HOW BRAIN IMAGING REVEALS 7 TYPES OF ADD
One of the most powerful breakthroughs in understanding the seven types of ADD came from brain SPECT imaging scans. These scans measure blood flow and activity in the brain, providing a visual representation of how the brain functions.
Daniel Amen, MD, a double board-certified psychiatrist and founder of the renowned Amen Clinics, and his team have conducted over 300,000 brain scans on patients from 155 countries. Through this research, Dr. Amen discovered that ADD is associated with multiple brain patterns, each requiring unique treatments.
These types of ADHD were identified by analyzing how various parts of the brain respond under different conditions. These findings changed how the professionals at Amen Clinics approach diagnosis and treatment by highlighting the need for personalized treatment for ADD based on brain type rather than generic prescriptions or strategies.
Recent research echoes the importance of neuroimaging for psychiatric disorders, stating that imaging data can be essential in identifying “distinct neurobiological subtypes” that aren’t visible through traditional assessments alone.
Brain imaging that helps reveal the ADHD subtypes remains one of the most revolutionary tools in modern mental health care.
TYPES OF ADHD EXPLAINED
So, what are the 7 types of ADD? They can be unique in how they show up in your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even how it can affect your relationships. Here are the ADD types explained through the lens of Dr. Amen’s research:
1. Classic ADD
Classic ADD, or Classic ADHD, is what most people think of when they hear the term. This includes core symptoms like distractibility, impulsivity, disorganization, and hyperactivity.
Based on the Amen Clinics brain scan database, people with Classic ADD show low activity in the prefrontal cortex, especially when they try to focus. You may have trouble sitting still, struggle in school or work settings, and often feel impatient or forgetful.
2. Inattentive ADD
This type is sometimes missed, especially in girls and adults, because it doesn't include hyperactivity. People with Inattentive ADD tend to be quiet, spacey, easily distracted, and mentally foggy. They may get labeled as lazy or unmotivated.
However, SPECT scans show underactivity in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. Understanding your brain type can help you tailor your unique challenges at home, work, or school.
3. Overfocused ADD
Those with Overfocused ADD experience inflexible thinking, obsessive behavior, and difficulty shifting attention. They may get stuck on negative thoughts or become overly rigid in their routines.
On brain scans, this type is associated with increased activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus. People with Overfocused ADHD can appear oppositional or argumentative, but this is rooted in their overthinking and the brain’s inability to “let go” and transition smoothly between thoughts.
4. Temporal Lobe ADD
This type involves symptoms of irritability, mood swings, memory problems, and sensitivity to touch or sound. Emotional outbursts and temper flare-ups are common as are learning difficulties or struggle with visual processing.
Brain imaging with SPECT often shows abnormal activity in the temporal lobes. This subtype is more often misunderstood or misdiagnosed until brain imaging provides clarity.
5. Limbic ADD
Limbic ADD combines core ADHD symptoms with chronic low mood, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. SPECT scans show increased activity in the limbic system—especially the deep limbic structures—which regulate emotion.
People with Limbic ADD may be mistaken for having depression alone, but without addressing their attention issues, traditional depression treatments fall short. Understanding this subtype can transform emotional resilience.
6. Ring of Fire ADD
This intense form, Ring of Fire ADHD, involves extreme mood swings, sensitivity to stimuli, rapid speech, and anger outbursts. SPECT scans reveal a pattern of excessive activity across multiple brain regions—like a ring of overactivity.
It is sometimes confused with bipolar disorder but responds differently to treatment. Identifying this ADHD subtype can help with more effective, targeted care and stabilize mood and attention.
7. Anxious ADD
Anxious ADD includes core ADD symptoms plus physical tension, chronic worry, and social anxiety. If you have attention problems, and you avoid new situations or become paralyzed by fear, you may want to discuss this type with your doctor.
On SPECT scans, people with this type have overactivity in the basal ganglia, a region associated with anxiety. Traditional stimulant medications can make anxiety worse in this group, which is why personalized ADHD treatment based on brain type is essential.
HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR ADHD TYPE
If you’re wondering how to discover your type of ADD, here are a few key steps to get started:
1. Consult a medical professional or mental health expert
Speak with a psychiatrist, neurologist, or therapist trained in brain-based types of ADD diagnostics. Consider brain SPECT imaging to help pinpoint your ADHD type.
2. Track your symptoms in a journal
Keep a daily or weekly log of your symptoms to recognize patterns. Ask yourself questions like:
➔ Am I more distractible or anxious lately?
➔ Do I tend to obsess over details more often than not?
➔ Am I lashing out when I feel overwhelmed with work or home life?
Tracking can help you and your ADHD care team better understand how different types of ADD symptoms affect your daily life.
3. Talk with supportive family and friends
Those closest to you may notice behavioral patterns that you’re not aware of, so ask them to share what they’ve observed. Log that into your symptoms journal for a clearer picture of what you feel and what they see.
Sometimes, the outside perspective can validate what you're experiencing internally, especially when exploring how to identify your type of ADD.
4. Take Dr. Amen’s Online ADD Type Test
If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or mistreated for ADHD, it’s time to take a closer look. Take the ADD Type Test today to find out! Your brain will thank you.
This questionnaire is an invaluable tool, but it’s important to note that this (or any) self-assessment is never meant to be used alone. It is not meant to provide a diagnosis. Rather, it serves as a guide to help you begin to identify problems and get further evaluation for them.
Please work together with your health care provider to develop the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
TREATMENT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADHD
The best part of understanding the seven types of ADD is that each type comes with its own customized treatment strategies. Here are a few at-home approaches based on personalized treatment for ADHD based on brain type:
· Classic ADD often benefit from targeted nutrition (like increasing protein intake), and exercise routines that boost dopamine and focus. Supplements like rhodiola and ginseng can also support concentration naturally.
· Inattentive ADD may benefit from a higher-protein diet, and calming strategies. Nutraceuticals like L-tyrosine and green tea extract promote better attention.
· Overfocused ADD usually requires a diet high in complex carbohydrates in addition to calming techniques. These may include anti-anxiety nutrients like magnesium, mindfulness practices, and non-stimulant medications. Learning to manage your mind can also help redirect obsessive thinking.
· Anxious ADD benefits from calming supplements such as vitamin B6 and L-theanine. Also helpful is relaxation training using deep breathing, hypnosis, and calming music.
· Temporal Lobe ADD often responds well to supplements like GABA and therapies focused on emotional regulation.
· Limbic ADD often respond well to supplements like SAMe. Learning to challenge negative thoughts is critical for people with this type.
· Ring of Fire ADD may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet as well as supplements—such as GABA and L-theanine—that support healthy moods.
Dr. Amen’s research emphasizes that brain scans and ADD subtypes provide a roadmap to healing that’s far more effective than trial-and-error approaches. The more you know your brain, the better your treatment.
Get Help for ADD Today
Healing starts when you stop blaming yourself—and start learning how your brain works. Whether you’ve been living with ADD for years or are just now beginning to search for answers, it’s never too late to take the first step toward clarity, connection, and brain health.
For more help, sign up for the Healing ADD course at Amen University. This online ADHD course teaches you how to heal by identifying your unique brain type and includes in-depth videos, tools, and expert guidance for the right strategy to thrive.
