ADD and Treatment

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

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.

Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants can 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. Brain scans reveal that people with this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angered.

Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behavior. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.

It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. 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 be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.

It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.

They are often irritable, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.

People who have hyper-focused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.

Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.

They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.

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

To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs a physical exam. The doctor might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/treating inattentive adhd impulsivity treatment (read this blog article from Olderworkers), however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience 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 are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.

This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.

This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.