ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate 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 has a more consistent level of irritability over 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 due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. Iam Psychiatry of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious 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. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down 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 plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.