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.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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. Scans of the brain show 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 the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But treatment for adults with add 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 which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this 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 essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. treatment for adults with add can result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs 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 concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people with 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 unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.