ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the 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 quickly and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to 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 situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. treating adult adhd to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.