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A Trip Back In Time What People Said About ADD And Treatment 20 Years Ago
ADD and Treatment

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

The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.

The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments 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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both 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 is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.

It is crucial to differentiate 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 has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.

These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.

People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.

Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from a professional, as 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 with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.

They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.

If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.


Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam. treat adhd may also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, 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 functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people 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 unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.

This is a kind of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.