ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as 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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. 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 distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. adhd in adults treatment have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that improve alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated 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 boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with 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 they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.