ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. adhd untreated in adults has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be irritable and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In certain situations they might be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.