ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose adhd diagnosis and treatment using SPECT brain images.
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 those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviour. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as 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 exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it’s often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to identify. The majority of children don’t understand the cause of their condition. It’s caused by their inability switch their attention from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they who can treat adhd in adults boost a person’s level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment for inattentive adhd and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won’t do well.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/adhd symptoms in adults treatment and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has 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/Treating Inattentive 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 improve 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 for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they’re in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don’t hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show 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 having trouble shifting gears. They can’t move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.