ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which 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
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and teachers or parents are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.