ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
Info is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their focus between different things. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs an examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (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 kind of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.