ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.

The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) 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) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.

It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.

They are generally irritable and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.

People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.

Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to check here throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.

They also fear being judged or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.

If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.

Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.

A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.

The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.

In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.

This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.