ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of typical ADD include 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 reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased 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 limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction 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
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and how to get diagnosed and treated for adhd makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
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 aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.