ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during 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 slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their homework or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. They hide their problems to others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
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 directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior treating adhd and anxiety in adults cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.