ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are often irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. adhd untreated in adults of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.