ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). adhd adults treatment can be angry when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. These children often don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can improve 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 mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. adhd in adults treatment of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region 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 the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.