ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part 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 slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. add treatments for adults between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its 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 behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. In contrast 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 prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.