ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. I Am Psychiatry as 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 reveal that people with this type can 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, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their attention between different things. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking however, they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.