ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at 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, which boost concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. treatment of add in adults don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. treatment for adult add is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish 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 is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
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 because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient 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 gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one task or thought to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.