ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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 can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms 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 can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. adhd in adults treatment can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur 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 frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify where in the brain more or less activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, 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 includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate 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 move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.