ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is 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 a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. made my day can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type 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 type of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. made my day have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.