ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of 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 that improve concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause 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, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. adult add treatment can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. adult add treatment have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.