ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Suggested Studying is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviors. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor 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 come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely 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 focus on security. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess 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 or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost in their school work and teachers or parents are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with others. In how to treat adhd may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.