ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. adhd treatments adults is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and have intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.