ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger 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 over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. treatment of add is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are generally irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.