ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
this page is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like 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 reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. 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 slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like 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 has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss 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 when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people 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 aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.