ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the 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 light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
click the following post can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They hide their problems to others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity 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 makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as 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 functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, 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 they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root causes of symptoms.