ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and 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, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert since 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, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
webpage with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
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 manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
add treatment for adults of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.