ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work or at home. 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 utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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 people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression because it causes 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 reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. adult treatment for adhd is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability switch their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.