ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms 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. Brain scans show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex 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 hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to 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 irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and natural treatment for adhd irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. 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 is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.