ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include 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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how to treat anxiety and adhd happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness “glass half-empty syndrome” and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it’s crucial to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and affects up to half of those with ADD/adhd treatment for young adults. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/adhd treatment for adults medication and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won’t succeed.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/adhd in adults symptoms and treatment (This Internet site) and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/adhd treatment. 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 but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain’s temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing like they’re in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don’t hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people 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 unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.