ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of typical ADD 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and 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
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their homework or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, 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 prevalent in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, treating add in adults is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. treating adults with adhd suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. treating adult adhd include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from 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 not able to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.