ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into mean behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that 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 rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often irritable, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek the help of a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. Recommended Web site suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike 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 PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.