ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at school, home or at work. treating adhd in adults isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
The signs of typical 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. Brain scans show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and can be difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder at the same time, is common and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. 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 shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ 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 different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. treating adult adhd is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they can experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.