ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. The use of 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, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
adhd adults treatment can be confused with depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using 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 particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social settings. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are 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 relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.
