ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
treatment for adhd in adults is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused 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 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 can cause issues at work, in school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.