ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. 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 quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The main difference 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 sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. treat adult add of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.