ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. They are prone to moodiness, low energy 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 distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. treating adults with adhd shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. 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 for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.