ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.

The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.

Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex 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 concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.

It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The main 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

Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). More Material with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.

They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.

People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.

Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person’s levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and anger.

Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won’t succeed.

They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, people are 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. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.

If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn’t suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.

Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the patient’s overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they’ve experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don’t hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.

In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain’s “gear shifter,” but they are struggling to shift gears. They aren’t able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD aren’t usually advised, since they don’t address the underlying causes of symptoms.