ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications 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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part 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 clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper, with their irritability coming from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, 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 thoughts and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they might be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. treatment for adult add for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.