ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that 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 a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have 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 may be captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. add in adults treatment might be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. 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 be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.
