ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of classic 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 people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop 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 can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are often unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type 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 distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
his response can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that 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 determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. He or she might also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. view it with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, 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 behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they can be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.