ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like 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. Iam Psychiatry show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing 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 punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or 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 in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. 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 cause feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those 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 task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.