ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as 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 levels of 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 concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
adhd treatments adults suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but 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 highly impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. add treatments for adults have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.