ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. Read the Full Content are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They can also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their attention from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast 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 prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This 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 mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.