ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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 people with this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, a 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 distractions and noises, and have shorter 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.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be irritable and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and can be difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention between tasks. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate 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. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings non medication treatment for adhd of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans 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 not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.