ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift 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 for ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can long-term effects of untreated adhd in adults cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior 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 techniques for relaxation. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.