ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder may 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 diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
more info is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, 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 common in children and is difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or judged. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the 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 or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.