ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
adhd treatment in adults can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They 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 a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with 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 and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.