ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as 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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone 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, but it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis drugs to treat adhd can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. This is why they often hide their problems from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate, sweating 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 the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.