ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms 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 show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or interests. 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 they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. add treatment for adults who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD

Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or judged. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. source web page of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal 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 experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In source web page , they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.