ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down here PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift 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 extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.