ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD, but 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 talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as 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 reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication 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 helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people 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 could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or judged. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty 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 get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
add treatment natural is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.