ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is the reason it's crucial 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 type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused 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 occurrence and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
treatment of add in adults can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs an examination. The doctor may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This may increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.