ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their anger stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Full Posting with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. 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 security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
Discover More Here is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.