ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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 activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with 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 are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost concentration, alertness and mood. treatment for adhd in adults improve mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as 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 manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. adhd treatment for adults can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. This is why they often hide their problems from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain more or less activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. holistic treatment for adhd include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.