ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. adults adhd treatment is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while 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 worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to identify. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their attention between different things. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.