ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
webpage is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. 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 required to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.