ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work or at home. 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.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviour. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to another. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. untreated adhd in adults suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations they might be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.