ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be irritable and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. treatment for add in adults of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This shuts down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise 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 affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.