ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as 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. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer 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 react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing 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 prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, 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 can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
click homepage is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.