ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently 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 most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They may become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can inattentive adhd treatment adults be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This may improve their ability to control their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They can't move 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 highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.