ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at 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 and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
More Material with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teacher 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 not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.