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Ultimate Guide for Ring of Fire ADHD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
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Ultimate Guide for Ring of Fire ADHD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What type of ADHD or ADD do you have? There are seven different types of ADHD and each one of them has different symptoms. But here we will discuss only one of them. The sixth type is a ring of fire ADHD. This is the type that has gained the most attention in recent years. By image testing that is used to see the variations in brain activity and blood flow, it has been seen that this ADHD type comes with a ‘ring of fire’ on it. It is an unofficial type of ADHD, but we will discuss its symptoms, causes, and treatment for this ring of fire ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a psychotic disorder caused by a lack of attention from primary care providers, hyperactive nature, and impulsive behavior. Its symptoms include having trouble staying organized, difficulty concentrating, and lack of interest in daily activities.

ADHD Types Ring of Fire

Dr Daniel Amen proposed that there are seven types of ADD including ring of fire ADHD type. According to him seven types of ADD include

  • Classic ADD
  • Inattentive ADD
  • Over-focused ADD
  • Temporal lobe ADD
  • Limbic ADD
  • Ring of fire ADD
  • Anxious ADD

This is important to note that these types of ADHD are unofficial. Research has to be done to validate these types.

Read More: Normal Brain Vs ADHD Brain – How We Are Wired Differently

Why use ADD instead of ADHD?

Dr. Daniel used ADD instead of ADHD to showcase the difference between hyperactivity and inattention.  He elaborated that not all inattention diseases include hyperactive nature, some of them are only because of lack of attention.

But this might not be a good approach, because you see that psychiatrists always use ADHD whether it is related to inattention or hyperactivity.

What is Ring of Fire ADHD?

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, there are seven types of ADHD. The sixth one is a ring of fire ADHD/ ADD. It is a subtype of ADHD categorized by a unique pattern of brain activity showing a ‘ring of fire’ on a SPECT Scan.

SPECT is a single photon emission computed tomography used for image testing to observe the variations in brain activity and blood flow. For people with ADHD, this image testing can help a lot in identifying the type of ADHD or ADD, and proposing the diagnosis and treatment for it.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD test for teenagers

Ring of Fire ADHD Symptoms

It is often caused by unpredictable and severe symptoms. ADHD ring of fire symptoms include:

  • Intense Mood Swings: A patient with ring-of-fire ADHD often experiences heightened emotional responses. This can make it difficult for them to take control of their emotions.
  • Overstimulation: Patients are highly sensitive to sensory stimuli. So these types of people feel frustrated by loud noises, busy environments, or bright lights, leading to irritability.
  • Impulsive Behavior: It is the first sign of ADHD but this type of person can manifest impulsive decision-making, cyclic mood changing, and rigid thinking.
  • High Energy Levels: They exhibit high levels of mental and physical energy. This can show up as depression, super excitedness, anger, anxiety, or rapid speech.

While each ADHD type has its own set of symptoms, so do the signs of ring-of-fire ADHD. Its symptoms also include distractibility, organizational problems, procrastination,  and forgetfulness.

Is Ring of Fire Diagnosable?

A ring-of-fire ADHD test is not possible as it is not an official disease in psychiatry. It is not considered to be a mental condition by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. But it can be diagnosed by the principles defined for testing ADHD and after doing some evaluations, it can be diagnosed.

Read More: ADHD in adults: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Ring of Fire ADHD VS. Bipolar Disorder

Ring of Fire ADD is often confused with a mood disorder called bipolar disorder. Most of the symptoms of both diseases are the same but they are different. Both of the conditions involve the symptoms of impulsiveness, anger, and irritability. But the difference is with consistency.

Bipolar disorder often comes in an episodic manner. There are periods for impulsive behavior and irritable nature. On the other hand, ring-of-fire ADHD has consistent symptoms.

What are the causes of ring of fire ADHD?

Ring of Fire ADHD brain scan is associated with increased brain activity that leads to impulsive nature and fatigue. This activity may be related to inflammation, infection, or allergies. Ring of Fire ADHD can also be related to eating disorders. Possible factors that can cause ring of fire ADHD adults or children are as follows:

  • Maternal smoking
  • Viral infection
  • Maternal obesity
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Substance use in pregnancy

When to Seek Professional Help?

No matter what the type of ADHD, if you feel symptoms of ADHD it is better to consider getting professional help for your problem. A professional can help you in identifying the route to recovery, and help you recognize which type of treatment will suit you whether it is medication, psychotherapy, or lifestyle modification.

Whether you want telehealth services or clinical services, everything is available in today’s fast-paced world. Whether it is psychosis or ring of fire ADHD, treatment and prevention for all the diseases can be found.

Read More: A Remarkable Guide to ADHD Telehealth

Ring of Fire ADHD Treatment

There are different ways to treat Ring of Fire ADHD. Let’s have a look at the ADHD ring of fire treatment types.

Medication Management 

ADHD ring-of-fire treatment often involves medications. However, psychiatric medication management is necessary because overdose can have side effects. Neurotransmitters are usually used for the treatment of ring-of-fire ADHD and blood pressure drugs are also used to minimize the hyperactive behavior of the patient.

Therapeutic Solutions 

Except for medication, there are also other solutions for ring-of-fire ADHD. One of them is therapies. When we say therapy, the first name that comes to our mind is psychotherapy or talk therapy. Talking about your issue resolved your problem to a large extent. That is why it is a preferred solution.

Read More: Can ADHD Medication Cause Weight Gain In Adults?

Lifestyle Modifications

Other solutions include lifestyle changes including meditation, exercise, sleeping well, and staying hydrated, which also helps in taking control of mental health. Sleeping for 7 to 8 hours and drinking 2.5 to 3 liters of water can help in staying healthy and active. Meditation and yoga also help in managing an impulsive nature.

Best Place for Ring of Fire ADHD Treatment

At Inland Empire Behavioral Group, we provide treatment for all types of ADHD including ring of fire ADHD type. Whether you want clinical services or telehealth services, we offer multiple solutions prioritizing your health and well-being. Our expert team conducts a thorough evaluation and provides the solution whether it is medication, psychotherapy, or routine modifications.

Read More: Psychotherapy For ADHD in Adults

Conclusion

Ring of Fire ADHD is a subtype of ADHD which is an unofficial type of ADHD by Dr. Daniel Amen. There is no specific way to diagnose this disease, but it can be found with its symptoms including irritability, impulsivity, and anxiety. It can be treated with various methods including medication, therapies, or routine changes. If you see any symptoms of ring-of-fire ADHD in yourself or your loved ones, talk to the Inland Empire Behavioral Group and get expert advice.

Contact us now and find out about your symptoms: whether it is Ring of Fire ADHD or bipolar disorder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is a subtype of ADHD categorized by a unique pattern of brain activity showing a ‘ring of fire’ on a SPECT Scan.

According to Dr. Amen, there are seven types of ADHD and the worst of them is Ring of Fire ADHD.

Dr. Daniel Amen was the psychiatrist who introduced the types of ADHD including ring of fire ADHD.

  1. Pedersen, T. (2023, November 3). What is Ring of Fire ADD? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/ring-of-fire-add#summary
  2. Masters, T. (2023, November 17). The “Ring of Fire” subtype of ADHD. Edge Foundation. https://edgefoundation.org/the-ring-of-fire-subtype-of-adhd/
  3. Morales-Brown, P. (2024, November 11). What to know about ring of fire ADHD. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ring-of-fire-adhd#1
  4. Is “Ring of Fire” ADHD a real thing? – Augmentive. (n.d.). Augmentive: Wellbeing and Performance. https://augmentive.io/blog/ring-of-fire-adhd
  5. Porter Academy – ADHD. (n.d.). Porter Academy. https://www.porteracademy.org/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
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