ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. 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 they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. 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 prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as 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 different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. They might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized here by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.