ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like 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 has a more constant level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. adult add treatment can become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.