Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Healthcare professionals often diagnose individuals with attention disorders when they show signs of being unable to pay attention or control impulses. ADD is one of the most common attention disorders observed, but it’s one of many. Because ADD shares symptoms with many other conditions, it’s critical that the disorder is properly diagnosed. Liberty Bay Recovery’s ADD treatment in Portland, Maine provides the right tools and staff to help diagnose and treat a wide array of attention disorders.

Classic Attention Deficit Disorder

This disorder is commonly referred to as ADD. Because it is so common and well-researched, it is quite easy to diagnose.

Common symptoms can include:

  • Being disorganized
  • Failure to pay attention
  • Hyperactivity
  • Easily distracted
  • Poor impulse control


Brain scans taken from individuals diagnosed with ADD often depict regular activity during periods of rest. When a person with ADD partakes in a focus-intensive task, brain scans tend to show a low amount of activity. Ritalin and natural remedies can treat classic ADD by increasing dopamine levels. At our ADD treatment center in Portland, Maine, we often recommend exercise and other health initiatives to help with symptom relief.

Inattentive ADD

Healthcare professionals diagnose inattentive ADD when excessively low dopamine levels and decreased activity of the prefrontal cortex are observed. Symptoms of inattentive ADD include procrastination, disorganization, becoming easily distracted, and the inability to pay attention for long periods of time. Importantly, many people with inattentive ADD don’t display hyperactive or impulsive symptoms. However, they spend much of their time daydreaming and staying withdrawn. Inattentive ADD is observed more in females than in males. This type of attention disorder is commonly treated by increasing dopamine levels.

Over-Focused ADD

Over-focused ADD presents with many of the same symptoms of classic ADD. However, this disorder exhibits an additional symptom of trouble with shifting attention. Those with over-focused ADD will often dwell on negative thoughts or display negative behavior. A decrease in dopamine and serotonin marks this disorder. Additionally, observers notice an overactive anterior cingulate gyrus (commonly referred to as the brain’s “gear shift”). Increasing dopamine and serotonin levels can help during over-focused attention deficit disorder treatment.

Temporal Lobe ADD

In the brain, the temporal lobe is responsible for learning, mood, and regulating memory. When a person struggles with temporal lobe ADD, they have trouble with memory, learning, and extreme anger or aggression. Observers also sometimes report extreme paranoia. Doctors commonly treat temporal lobe ADD with Magnesium supplements. This medication specifically treats irritability and anxiety.

Limbic ADD

Those with limbic ADD will display basic ADD symptoms, but they will also commonly feel a sense of sadness. Clinicians report moodiness, fatigue, and feelings of helplessness, guilt, and low self-esteem in individuals with limbic ADD. It must be noted that the symptoms of limbic ADD are not indicative of depression. Rather, limbic ADD indicates an overactive limbic area in the brain. This area is responsible for controlling mood. Limbic ADD treatment invloves increasing dopamine levels.

Ring of Fire ADD

Ring of Fire ADD derives its name from the classic red ring depicted in brain scans of those suffering from the disorder. It essentially means that there are several overactive areas all over the brain. Symptoms of ring of fire ADD can be sporadic. For example, a person suffering from the disorder might display unpredictable behavior, sensitivity to light and noise, periodic bursts of nasty or mean behavior, anxiety, or paranoia. Stimulants can be harmful when prescribed by themselves. Diet changes and blood pressure medication have shown results for this type of attention deficit disorder treatment.

Anxious ADD

Anxious ADD presents with common ADD symptoms as well as anxiety, tension, stomachaches, and headaches. The physical aches and pains are commonly manifestations of stress. Brain scans of those with anxious ADD indicate a very high basal ganglia. Treatment of this disorder includes anti-depressants, calming supplements, and relaxation.

Diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorders

Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment and Mental Health

Don’t Wait. Call Today.

Contact Liberty Bay’s for ADD Treatment Center in Portland, Maine

RESOURCES

Addiction Recovery Blog

Recovery

May 19, 2025

The liver naturally detoxes your body but what happens when it s overwhelmed by substance use While liver detoxes are trending they often miss...

Recovery

February 16, 2025

Most people know that drinking too much alcohol can harm their health but many don t realize that it also increases the risk of...

Recovery

January 21, 2025

Many people enable addicts without meaning to because they believe they 8217 re being loving and helpful When others point out enabling behaviors they...