ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments such as 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less 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. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. 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 a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. treatment for adult add are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may 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 extremely stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or judged. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. 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 can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.