ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. treatment for adult add of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to identify. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. Additionally, treatment of add or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the root cause of symptoms.