ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The main 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often misdiagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. 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 to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential 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 kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. official source with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move 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 mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.