ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. treat adhd in adults is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner 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 main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one task to the next 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 frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or judged. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
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 gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.