ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as 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 levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty 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 characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. 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.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. IamPsychiatry 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 instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.