ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. 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 sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting 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 impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
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 is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their attention between different things. This is why it's essential to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable 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 productive but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. treatment for add in adults may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.