ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of antidepressants and stimulants can help.
Limbic ADD
The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. Brain scans reveal that people with this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or in social situations. adhd treatment in adults of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. They may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.