"The ADD And Treatment Awards: The Best, Worst And The Most Unlikely Things We've Seen

"The ADD And Treatment Awards: The Best, Worst And The Most Unlikely Things We've Seen

ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.

The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.

Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.


Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.

It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.

It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

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

They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.

People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime.  treating add  are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.

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

This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.

They also fear being criticized or judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. 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 causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.

When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.

A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some instances they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.