ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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 reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/ is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of those with 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 cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
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They also fear being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. 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 safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency 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 are impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.
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