ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. 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 PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. untreated adhd in adults can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some instances they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.