From Around The Web 20 Amazing Infographics About ADD And Treatment
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. this website can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have difficulty in 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 identify. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or criticised. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely sensitive and angry 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 short attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may experience difficulties 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 can suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.