ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
treatments for add of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
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 is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused 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 home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to identify. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial 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 with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. 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 very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.