ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as 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 those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
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 distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to identify. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. 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 makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. They may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short treatment adhd attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are 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.