ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.

Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.

People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD However, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into mean behavior. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.

These people are likely to have a short temper and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.

People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.

Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability switch their attention between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet 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 can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.

They also fear being criticised or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an 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 PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.

If someone suffering from 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 programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.

Amen Clinics psychiatrists 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 differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.

To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.

This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they untreated adhd in adults relationships also have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.