ADD and Treatment

ADD and non medication treatment for adhd is often connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and manage.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (treating adhd and depression in adults) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.

Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.

Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty 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 quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

It is possible to mix the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.

It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.

They are prone to having a short temper and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.

People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.

Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their focus from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant non medication Treatment for adhd adults, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.

They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. In some cases, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.

If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.

A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/alternative adhd treatment for adults. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.

This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also presents with difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.