ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as 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 highly impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of 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 using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. treating add in adults are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority 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 further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. treating adult add who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. 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 place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause 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 dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.