ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants may 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 reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to 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, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. 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 another and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as 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 over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, 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 also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
Iam Psychiatry fear being criticized or being judged. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in staying focused, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). 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 where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.
