ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of classic ADD include 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms 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 using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are often angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. 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 place a high value on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. adhd treatments adults can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause 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 lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.