ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work or home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications such as 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve alertness, focus and mood as well as 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 crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, click here especially in children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability switch their focus between different things. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating 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 causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts physical examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.