ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine 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 instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties 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 another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. treatment for add can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.