ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. adhd treatment in adults This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.