ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up during the 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 struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
treatment for add in adults fear being criticized or being judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal 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 aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.