ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This may enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," iampsychiatry.com but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork, and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some cases they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying reason for the symptoms.