ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. non pharmacological treatment for adhd They hide their problems to others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they have déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.