ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type 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 as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, 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 crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can result in 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 consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
add treatments for adults with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can help improve 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 both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. 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 anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive but they also tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.