ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a limited 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 in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind 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 identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or judged. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties 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 the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of adhd treatment london ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.