ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and manage.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.

Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to 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 low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion 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 rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.

It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.

These people tend to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.

People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.

Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They are also unable to express 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. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.

They also fear being judged or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different 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 shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment for adhd and ptsd combined strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.

The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other Alternative Treatments for adhd, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This may increase their ability to manage their moods and overall performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.

In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.