ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
secret info is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as 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 consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They 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 as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
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 cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.