ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications like 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 type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). adhd untreated in adults may become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or hobbies. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their problem is due to their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they might be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.