ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants can help.
treatment for adult adhd 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 of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression because it causes 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 decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase concentration, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. adult add treatment include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they can be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.