ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into mean behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while 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 erratically or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their homework or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. 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.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
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 keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain adhd symptoms adults treatment which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.