ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.

The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as 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 have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

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

It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.

They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.

People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.

Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.


This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.

Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.

They also fear being judged or being criticized. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to focus.

If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.

The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.

To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. Full Posting of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.

In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.

This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root cause of symptoms.