ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. treating add in adults have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into mean behaviour. They are prone 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, but it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region 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 like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are found. 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 a patient has ADHD or ADD. They may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.