ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. treating add in adults 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. 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 in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to shift their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, 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 hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. treating adhd in adults of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. 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 shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, treating adhd in adults is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. 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 suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show 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 can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.