ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness 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 that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may 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 tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus between tasks. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise, sleep best treatment for adhd in adults strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
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 characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.