ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
treat adhd in adults with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift 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 for ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.