ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. 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 distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. adult adhd treatments are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines 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 that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also 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 is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They can be emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or in social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.