ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD 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 show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and can be difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability switch their focus between different things. This is why it's essential to seek out help from 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 is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different 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 determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive 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 are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. adhd untreated in adults of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.