ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.

The signs of typical ADD 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 reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.

It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.

They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.

People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.

Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their attention between different things. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD experience 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 suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.

They also fear being criticised or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.

If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.

A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can aid in improving their non prescription adhd treatment ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.

In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.

This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.