ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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. The scans of the brain reveal that people with this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness 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 inositol, saffron, and saffron, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and stop nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and they might not finish their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their attention between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish 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. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and affects up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or judged. This is why they often hide their troubles from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause an increase in heart rate sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
Read the Full Guide will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can enhance their ability to control their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
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 instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they might experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.