ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. treatment for adult add shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and have intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate 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 experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.