ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is 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 mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. click the next document operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or 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 most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.