ADD And Treatment Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric illness can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behavior. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
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 anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. adhd treatments adults of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is distinct 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 security. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with 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 the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. They may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. 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 of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances they might experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.