ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition 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 can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. adult treatment for adhd might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
adults adhd treatment who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike 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 can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most 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 can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.