15 Terms That Everyone In The ADD And Treatment Industry Should Know
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work, or home. treating add is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting focus. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are generally unhappy, and their irritability is 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 with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They may also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and is often difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and critiqued. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
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 gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. 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 that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.