ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at 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, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate 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 is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. More about the author can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts physical examination. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.