ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose 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.
adult adhd treatments of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover 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 most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. 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 irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. adhd untreated in adults is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.