ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 reveal that people with this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to a professional 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. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
adhd treatment adults of this kind 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 prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.