ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble 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 often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, 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 is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
treatment for add suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts physical examination. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.