ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain 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 take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and website memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.