ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at 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 SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, 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 distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating 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 a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. 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 in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
adult adhd treatments of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.