ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and 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 that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. 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 be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction 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 exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social settings. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity 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 can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other adhd treatment relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
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 gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive, but they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.