ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference 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
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their attention from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People untreated adhd and anxiety who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.