Understanding and Treating Limbic ADHD: A Neurobiological Approach

In the brain, the limbic system sets the tone for our emotions, behavior, motivation and drive. This is where mood disorders, such as depression, occur: They come as a result of limbic overactivity. Patients with Limbic Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder suffer from the traditional symptoms associated with ADD but, due to their imbalance in the limbic section, must be treated differently than typical ADHD patients.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Limbic ADHD include the typical symptoms of regular ADD (distraction, disorganization, impulsiveness) with problematic emotional conditions: sadness, negativity, apathy, hopeless feelings, isolation, irritability and low energy.

Features

• Limbic ADHD is treated differently than typical, hyperactive ADHD: Instead of amphetamine medications, doctors prescribe antidepressants.

Prescription Medications

• Limbic ADHD is commonly treated with Wellbutrin, a prescription antidepressant that seeks to stabilize the neurotransmitters in the brain believed to be imbalanced by this form of ADHD.

Alternative Treatments

• Alternatives to prescription medication for limbic ADHD patients include the use of soothing natural botanical and herbal remedies such as hyoscyamus, tuberculinum, arsen iod and verta alb.

Warning

• Due to the nature and functions of our brain's limbic system, if a limbic ADHD patient were prescribed stimulant medications (as with standard ADHD), his symptoms would worsen, appearing much like chronic depression.