ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The 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, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is essential 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 has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. 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 may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. treating add in adults with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart, sweating 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 safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that people with 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 are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.