ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviour. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or criticised. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can help improve 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 with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, treatment for adult add of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.