ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have 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 may become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level 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 can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. adhd in adults treatment can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form 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 staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, 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 which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.