ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants can aid in overcoming.
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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift 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 indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. adhd treatment adults suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.