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on July 3, 2024
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose adhd treatment in adults with SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion 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 by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in 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 degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. 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 and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has Adhd treatment options 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 but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms of adhd in adults treatment to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus between tasks. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. 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 and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has Adhd treatment options 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 but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms of adhd in adults treatment to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.