ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
treating adult adhd of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants can aid in overcoming.
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 show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are often unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.