ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of antidepressants and stimulants 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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, 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 security. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. 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.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Iam Psychiatry of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans 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 thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.