ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments 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 reveal 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 the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
treatment for adult adhd are generally angry, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including 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 function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.