ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. I Am Psychiatry 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes 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 to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.