ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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 people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with 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 useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
natural add treatment suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. 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 place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe 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 issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can be depressed or anxious. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.