ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. adhd in adults treatment can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. 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 prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. He or she might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can'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 following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.