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.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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 reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic 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 light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing 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 has a more constant 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 behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's essential 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 typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause 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 with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. website This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They can be extremely sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.