ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference 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 exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic 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 issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek adhd symptoms treatment out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve 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 of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, 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 presents with difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.