ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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 reveal that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and 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
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention between different things. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often 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 level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
treating add in adults are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.