ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose adhd symptoms adults treatment.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be angry when requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness “glass half-empty syndrome,” and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/psychology-today-logo.png)This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind 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 distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/adhd treatment for adults medication. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/human-givens-institute-logo.png)If someone with ADD/adhd impulsivity treatment has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. They might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/Adhd And Anxiety Treatment, but in most cases, patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's “gear shifter,” but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.