ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are 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 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 the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up 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 portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. I Am Psychiatry is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also result in 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 that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.