ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible 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's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
adhd treatment adults with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from 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 people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.