ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines 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 that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low 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 thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus between different things. This is why it's essential to seek out help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment Iam Psychiatry strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.