Over-Focused ADHD

The least flexible character in all of the stories of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin has got to be Rabbit. Oh, he can get a lot of things done, and he's the one character who will be prepared when winter comes, but he has a very hard time shifting from one activity to another. He is absolutely "task oriented" and is focused to whatever that task might be.

The person with "Over-Focused ADHD" is much the same. He has trouble shifting attention from one activity to another, and he frequently "gets stuck" in loops of negative thoughts. He can be obsessive, and very inflexible. He can also be oppositional and argumentative to parents. He may be like a "bull dog" and not give up until he gets his way, or until his worn-out parents finally say, "yes," to his 100th request for something. His parents are often worn-out, worn-down, fed-up, and ready to break. Parenting a child like this is hard.

Someone with "Over-Focused ADHD" is like Rabbit, in that he:

  • May worry a LOT, even over things that don't really matter much
  • Can be very oppositional to parents
  • May like to argue
  • May be somewhat compulsive about the way things ought to be done
  • Will have a very hard time shifting from one activity to another
  • Always wants to have his way

The cause of this type of ADHD is an over-active Anterior Cingulate Gyrus. This part of the brain is over-active all of the time.

And, to make things worse, when a "work load" is put on the brain, such as school work or a chore to be completed, there is the common ADHD symptom of decreased activity level in the Pre-Frontal Cortex.

In this type of ADHD some stimulants, and too much use of L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine production can actually make the problem of over-focus worse. So be careful.

For best results, try our ADHD Eating Program to start with. In addition, some experts recommend 300 mg of St. John's Wort per day for children (600 mg per day for adults), 5-HTP, and B Vitamins.

We recommend for Over-Focused, or Rabbit style ADHD, ATTEND for ADHD symptoms, EXTRESS for symptoms of impulsivity, temper, restlessness, and anxiety, and DEPREX for symptoms of excessive worry.

The ATTEND contains GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter), DL-Phenylalyne (which boosts mood), Ginko, Pycnogenol and Grape Seed Extracts, 5-HTP, pregnenolone (a memory hormone), DMAE, and more. The EXTRESS contains GABA, DL-PA, 5-HTP, and St. John's Wort (to stabilize moods). The DEPREX contains more GABA, as well as lots more DL-Phenylalyne, 5-HTP, and just 2 capsules of DEPREX contain 320 mg of St. John's Wort.

With the proper treatment approach, a lot can be done to help children, teens, and adults with ADHD. Medications can be very helpful, provided that they are part of the right treatment strategy. Some helpful medications are available from your physician, and some helpful medications are available over the counter. Take the time to learn all that you can about specific treatment approaches to the different types of ADHD.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.