ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.

The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.

Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent 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, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They can be angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.

People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.

Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task 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 can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.

Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.

They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.

The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.

A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Medications treat adhd without medication adults are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.

The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.

In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.

This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.