ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can 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 diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.

The signs of typical ADD 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant 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 that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They can become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.

They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.

People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.

Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements adhd diagnosis and treatment and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.

They also fear being judged or being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Unlike 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 are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.

If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.

Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. They might also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. 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 of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.

This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.

In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with others. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.