ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into mean behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns 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 activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive 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, disorganization, difficulty staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. treatments for adhd are unable to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.