ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and is difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social settings. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. add natural treatment suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using 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 struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.