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 employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or 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 are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree 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 be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone 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 the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there 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 an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. adhd natural treatment may enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task, 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 characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.