ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. These children often don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (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. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In treatment of add of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.