ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as 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 those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of those with 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 problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. 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 causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts physical examination. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms adhd treatment without meds of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.