ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of 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 people with this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is 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 attention. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into mean behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. how to treat adhd to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.