ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They can be angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or being judged. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or adhd treatment seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry 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 and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.