ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants 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 reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can be angry when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are generally angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being respected. adhd treatments adults may be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of sufferers of 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 cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct 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 causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.