ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into mean behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
adult treatment for adhd may cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. adult treatment for adhd shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where more or less activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs an examination. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This may enhance their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. adhd untreated in adults includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.