ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate 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. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by who can diagnose and treat adhd decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.