ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain during 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 concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
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 main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase 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 hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. Full Posting can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn 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 best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans 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 struggling to shift gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.