ADD and Treatment
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/psychology-today-logo.png)ADD and treatment for add adhd in adults is often associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/coe-2022.png)The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment.
The signs of typical ADD 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and 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 essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one task to the next and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. These children often don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial 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 type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having more than one disorder at the same time is a common problem and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead how to get treated for adhd in adults ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/inattentive adhd Treatment adults and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/adhd treatment options, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/inattentive adhd treatment adults, but most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's “gearshifter”). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.