ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They may become angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to identify. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from a professional, 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 using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further 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 being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire 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 in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. treating add may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.