ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or at home. 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 utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 reveal that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are generally unhappy, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused 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 simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. In treatments for adhd in adults , sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely 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 shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs a physical exam. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't 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 insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be prone 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.