ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the 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 and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. 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 confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is caused by their inability shift their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. natural add treatment can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in 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. treat adult adhd suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive, but they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of 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 instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.