ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is 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 SPECT brain imaging 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.
adhd untreated in adults 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 those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
adult treatment for adhd of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are highly 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, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their schoolwork or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is difficult to diagnose. 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 between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from 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 among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts a physical exam. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients need other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.