ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught 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 often incorrectly diagnosed. They can be emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. 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 can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. go to this site may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. their website of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.