ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. adult adhd treatments differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. 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 as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.