ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. adhd treatments adults with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 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 even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.