ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less 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 hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviors. 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 mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. treatment for add exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding 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 prioritize security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where more or less activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.