ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. This is why it's essential to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
treatment adult adhd can cause issues at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate 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 sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.