ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
this page (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 unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 reveal that people with this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek out 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 can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different 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 shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.