ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to identify. treatment of add in adults don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or in social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use 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 kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam. In addition, he / she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. 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. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.