ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at work, school or at home. 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 professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. adult adhd treatments like stimulants and antidepressants 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 those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low 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 adhd untreated in adults
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or criticised. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts physical examination. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.