ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve concentration, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention 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 chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task 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 kind of ADD can be treated with adhd overstimulation treatment dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, 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, however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.