ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.

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

Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. The use of 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the 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 noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.

It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They can be angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.

They are often unhappy, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.

People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.

Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.

They also fear being criticized or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.

If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because the treatment programs for how to get diagnosed and treated for adhd ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.

Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.

To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.

This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.

In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from 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 unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.