ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. treatments for adhd in adults diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently 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.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into mean behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. 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 if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing 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 physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from severe 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 often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as 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 presents with difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals 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 aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.