ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants can aid in overcoming.
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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as 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
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. 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 criticized or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active 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 makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because treating adhd and depression in adults it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.