Blog entry by Hilda Beirne
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose Untreated Adhd In Adults Uk.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms of untreated adhd tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common among children, and is difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or in social situations. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where more or less activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best evidence based treatment for adhd in adults for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/untreated adhd in adults, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts physical examination. The doctor might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can enhance their ability to control their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.