ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
treatment for adult add (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the 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 can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase 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 excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
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 desperation. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and can be difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts a physical exam. They may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances they might be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.