ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home 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 hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to identify. 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. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. adhd home treatment is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. 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 heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs 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, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he / she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.
