ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as antidepressants and stimulants can 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 show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. treatment of add are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. 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 confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.