ADD And Treatment Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as 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 of ADD are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. treatment for adhd in adults cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. They might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals 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 thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.