ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing 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 punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual more info basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important 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 hard relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.