ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants can help.
adhd untreated in adults 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 those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to recognize. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They 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.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost in their school work and teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.