ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include 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 people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible 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 distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction 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 often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, 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 using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain treating inattentive adhd where low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.