ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. adult adhd treatments like stimulants and antidepressants can help.
adult treatment for adhd 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 suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the 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 the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They might also have 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 hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, at school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. 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 place a high value on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, including experiencing a sense of déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals 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 aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.
