ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms 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 during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or criticised. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. 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 focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a adhd treatment options variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.