ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of antidepressants and stimulants 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 are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability 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 behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
adult adhd treatments with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used 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 comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
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 differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they are 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 have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.