ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.

The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.

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, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.

Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.

It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can be emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

They are generally irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.

People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.

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

This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to identify. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and anger.

Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.

They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. 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 are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.

If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.

A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.

This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.