ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with 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 are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather natural treatment for adhd an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.