ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of 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 show that people with this type 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 are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviors. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference 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 sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, about his of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.