ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being recognized. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. 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 focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. untreated adhd in adults may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.