ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are generally angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might 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 criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or judged. This is why they often hide their problems from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition 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 due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, click here seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed 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, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.