ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make 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 trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and 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
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. adult adhd treatment may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability 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 kind of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.