ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. The adhd treatment options majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs an examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind 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 retain and learn and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.