ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD 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, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, 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 can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases 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 as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The main difference 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 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.
They are prone to having a short temper, with their irritability coming from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might 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 forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in 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 suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
adhd natural treatment of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. treat adhd can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.