ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. treatment for adhd adults 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 of ADD are able to 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 are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are often angry, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's important 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 treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
treatments for adhd suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem 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 further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause 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 reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In treatments for adhd , they might be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.