Limbic attention deficit disorder is one of the proposed seven types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the American Psychiatric Association only recognizes three types and does not acknowledge limbic ADHD.
ADHD is a common mental disorder that can lead to challenges when trying to maintain concentration or sit still. It may also lead to impulsive actions. The condition is lifelong and, without appropriate management, can disrupt a person’s academic, professional, and personal lives and mental health.
Dr. Daniel Amen has suggested that seven types of ADHD exist. He proposes that these different types can develop based on specific symptoms and activity changes in particular brain regions that his clinic, The Amen Clinic, has found on brain scans. These are:
- classic ADHD
- inattentive ADHD
- overfocused ADHD
- temporal ADHD
- limbic ADHD
- ring of fire ADHD
- anxious ADHD
Limbic ADHD is one of the seven types of ADHD that Dr. Amen proposes. It is a theory rather than a formal criteria that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) uses to diagnose ADHD.
According to the theory, the brain scans of people with this type of ADHD have reduced blood flow in the certain areas of the brain during periods of intense concentration. However, more activity may occur in a brain region called the deep limbic system, which relates to mood.
This may cause symptoms similar to those of depression. As such, Dr Amen proposes that doctors may misdiagnose limbic ADHD as depression. However, in people with ADHD, antidepressant medications may increase low mood symptoms, per the Amen Clinic’s definition. The theory also suggests that stressful life circumstances often act as a trigger for limbic ADHD mood symptoms.
The limbic system is a group of linked structures in the brain that play roles in
Working with other brain regions, they help people process thoughts, develop memories, navigate social interactions, act on motivation, and learn new processes.
Parts of the brain in the limbic system include:
- amygdala
- cingulate gyrus
- columns of the fornix
- entorhinal cortex
- fornix
- hippocampus
- mammillary body
- olfactory bulbs
- parahippocampal gyrus
- septum pellucidum
The limbic system is not the only part of the brain involved in emotional processing. It interacts with other brain regions to trigger processes that occur with conscious input, known as autonomic processes.
Although there is no research supporting limbic ADHD as a formal diagnosis, some evidence highlights a possible link between the limbic system and ADHD in children and adolescents. Analysis from 2023 suggests an association between those with ADHD and atypical development in the limbic system.
Dr. Amen proposes that a core group of symptoms are common to all types of ADHD, including:
- a short attention span concerning routine tasks
- challenges with organization, such as tidiness or turning up to appointments on time
- being easily distracted
- regularly putting off tasks until later
- difficulties in following through with tasks and plans
- impulsivity, or doing and saying things before thinking about them
Suggested symptoms specific to limbic ADHD may include:
- low mood
- often feeling irritable
- wanting to be alone regularly
- regular feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
- less interest in hobbies or activities a person used to enjoy
- changes to a person’s sleep patterns
- a long-term, underlying sadness
- hyperactivity in some people
According to Dr. Amen, low energy, short attention spans, and a fixation on guilty or negative feelings are common in people with limbic ADHD.
Doctors do not diagnose limbic ADHD as a form of ADHD. The APA recognizes three types of ADHD that may affect which symptoms people get and which treatments can help. These include:
- Predominantly inattentive type: People with this type may experience challenges when trying to focus on and finish tasks or follow instructions.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: Those living with this type mainly show behaviors, including fidgeting, finding it difficult to wait their turn, and interrupting others during conversations.
- Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive type: Individuals with combined type show symptoms from the other types. This is the most common type, occurring in around
7 of every 10 people with ADHD.
Some research has identified different activity in specific brain regions for those with ADHD than those without. However, the APA has not identified that breaking ADHD down into seven types is clinically helpful, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) only names these three categories.
Doctors use a complex range of scans, a detailed history, and tests to diagnose ADHD. ADHD often overlaps with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or learning disorders, and its symptoms may be similar to mood disorders. People with any recognized type of ADHD may also experience mood symptoms.
The primary way to treat ADHD is through medication. Stimulants, including amphetamines and methylphenidates, are effective for
Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help support the individual’s progress toward personal goals alongside medication. If a younger child has ADHD, educating the family on how to provide for their needs may help them provide a support network.
Limbic attention deficit disorder ADHD is a theorized type of ADHD. It suggests that some people with ADHD show increased activity in the brain’s limbic system. This is a brain region that controls and triggers emotion and mood. In theory, this type causes depression-like symptoms along with core ADHD symptoms.
However, the APA does not recognize limbic ADHD. Instead, doctors diagnose predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined ADHD. Medications are available to treat ADHD, and therapy can also help.