ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that 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 are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as 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 often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally unhappy, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. 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 with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance 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 are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. iampsychiatry operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.