ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 people with this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Read Far more tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable, and their irritability is caused by 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 can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing 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 using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations they might be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.