ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. treatments for adhd in adults or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many 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 involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be 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 includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type 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. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.