ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of antidepressants and stimulants 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 reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas 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. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. adult add treatments of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain more or less activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may 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 need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. 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 various sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.