ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend 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 frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability shift their focus from one thing to the next. treatments for adhd in adults is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. 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 place a high value on security. This can shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
treatment of adhd in adults of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.