ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/ of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
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Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and have intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as 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 has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.
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