ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention 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 prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
treating add of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek the help of a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. 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 low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.