10 Things We Hate About ADD And Treatment
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from firing too much or erratically; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference 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
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and they may 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 who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly 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 the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. treatments for adult add can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. 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 being judged. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like 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 has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.