ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however 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 are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction 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 patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
Iam Psychiatry of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. 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 may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated 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 following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, 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 individuals 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 thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.