ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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 are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. treatment for adult add are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the 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 and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low 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 manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. 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 focus on security. This can shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.
