10 Fundamentals To Know ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn In School
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
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. click here! of the brain show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They may also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind 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 medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or with social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.