ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work, or at 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 utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications 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 reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of 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 light, noise, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are 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 can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to 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 causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone 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 among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify 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 patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. 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 both for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to 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 hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. made a post can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty 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 for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.