ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The main 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
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. adults adhd treatment suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.