ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not accepted. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to recognize. 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. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. treatment of adhd in adults of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. In treatment of adhd in adults to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.