ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad 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) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can become angry when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. treating add in adults may also ask about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some instances they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.