ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting attention. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
treatment for adult add is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person 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 because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise 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 affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes 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. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, 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 the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. treatment of add in adults show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.
