ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at work, school or at home. adhd drugs may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as 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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area 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 inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or 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 low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their irritability stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type 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 a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.