ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. treating add in adults isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks 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 light, noise, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their homework or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their focus between different things. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. 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 are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances they may be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually advised, since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.