ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as antidepressants and stimulants can 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 reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, 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 the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally unhappy, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or interests. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering 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 parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble in 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. Iam Psychiatry who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of 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 over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.