ADD and Treatment

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

The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.

The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.

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 of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.

People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.

They are often irritable and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.

People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.

Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their focus between different things. This is why it's essential to seek the help of a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can symptoms of adhd in adults and treatment lead to improper treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.

They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. 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 treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.

The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.

This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.

In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG 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 struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.

This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.