ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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. adhd untreated in adults of the brain reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts 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. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
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 distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to identify. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, 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 can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, 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 prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate 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 are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.