ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants may 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 those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that 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 feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind 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 types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. adhd untreated in adults presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case, 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 struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In adults adhd treatment , they can be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.