ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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 show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. The doctor may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as 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 has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter treating adhd and depression in adults dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with 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 not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.