ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often 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 defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low 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 manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with 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 focus from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, 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 increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify 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, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which alternative adhd treatment for adults are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case 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 are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.