ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage treatment for adhd and ptsd combined than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.