ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase 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 with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. Because of this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques for relaxation. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. natural add treatment include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans 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 experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with others. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.