ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which 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 sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are often irritable and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't restless legs adhd treatment respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some instances they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.