ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications 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 can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which psychological treatment for adhd in adults are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. 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 temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they might experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.