ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into mean behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial 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 distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their homework or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from 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 may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. 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 prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with treatment for add adhd in adults this disorder to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.