ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues 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 popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 people suffering from this type can 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, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. treatment for adults with add exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record 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 overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.