ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as adhd treatment for adults near me (
Suggested Reading). Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to diagnose
adhd in adults symptoms and treatment.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to the next. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to half of those with ADD/
adhd in adults untreated. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/
treating adhd and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in 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 place a high value on security. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/
adhd symptoms adults treatment, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. 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 others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). 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 where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.