ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low 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 exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential 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 type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at more info school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, 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 like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.