ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or at home. treating add in adults can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be angry when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.