ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at home, school or work. adult treatment for adhd can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
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 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 exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. adults adhd treatment may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity like video games, toys, and toys. They may 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 difficult to identify. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from 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 lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.