ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating 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 a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus 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 provoked to a negative behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from a professional, as children with this kind 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, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or criticised. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some 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 for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer how to treat depression and adhd from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and 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 gland which is 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 they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.