ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as 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 show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low 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
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
natural add treatment with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their attention from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. 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 using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. treat adhd in adults might have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.