Notes

ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.

The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.

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 both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.


It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.

People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.

Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This type of ADD is more common in children, and can be difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.

They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.

If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.

The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to 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 performs an examination. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can enhance their ability to control 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 with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.

In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In I Am Psychiatry may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.

Here's my website: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/