ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms 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 people with this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating 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, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause 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 required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order 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 or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may improve their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. treatments for adult adhd may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.