ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of 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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. iampsychiatry have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction 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
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend 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 a sense of worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects up to half of those 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.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in 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 areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, 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 presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.