ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level 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 suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.
treatment of add can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.