ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is 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 diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of antidepressants and stimulants 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 suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which 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 level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. 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 stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. 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 nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity.
secret info is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. 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 shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam.
treatment for add might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.