ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of classic 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
adult treatment for adhd is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its 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 behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be irritable and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. 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 prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing 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 behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.