ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often angry, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their adhd treatment near me problem is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.