ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
More methods are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention between tasks. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time 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 the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.