ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific 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 can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their problems from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. treating add in adults is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. treating adults with adhd shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. In treating adhd in adults , he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have 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 type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.