ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic 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. Brain scans reveal that people with this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, 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 at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues 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 is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes 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 a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. add treatment natural of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common 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 low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.