ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type 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 promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. adult add treatments can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors 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 can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. adult add treatments of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.