ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

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

The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. adult add treatments Links to an external site. are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.

It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.

They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.

People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.

Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.


Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.

They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. adult add treatments Links to an external site. trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.

Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.

To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.

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

This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.