ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential 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 between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of website ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs 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 safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and have intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.