ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase 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 shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They may become angry when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or interests. adhd treatment adults might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate 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 level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so anxious and stressed 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. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, 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 in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, visit these guys of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.