ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of 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. Brain scans show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as 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 too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. how to treat adhd www.iampsychiatry.uk tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their anger stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention between tasks. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, since children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. 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 prioritize security. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects 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 storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.