ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
adult treatment for adhd 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). adhd untreated in adults are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is difficult to identify. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often 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 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 people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.