ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviour. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. These children often don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to shift their focus between different things. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all sufferers of 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 school, work and social situations. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. They may also inquire about mood and behavior in order adhd treatment in adults to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. 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 both 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 also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They tend to be 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 seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.