ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can help.
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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble 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 settings. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. They can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. 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. adhd treatment for adults can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.