ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are 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 can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to shift their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart, 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 place a high value on security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of how to get diagnosed and treated for adhd this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.