ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. adhd treatment for adults help to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. 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 have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in 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 region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. treatment for adhd in adults can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications 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 with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In adhd symptoms and treatment , sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having 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 task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they might experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.