ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. drugs to treat adhd This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.