ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments 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 reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their homework or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus between different things. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes 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 can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high 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 collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. They may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and effects of untreated adhd in adults extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type 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 does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.