ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like 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 of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level 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 work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. 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 causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. adhd in adults treatment are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.