ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.

The symptoms of typical 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.

People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.

Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls 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 such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.

People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.

Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and anger.

Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.

They also fear being criticised or being judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.

A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. here This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive 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 difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.

This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.