10 Factors To Know On ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn In School
10 Factors To Know On ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn In School
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be 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 use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. The use of 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. Brain scans reveal that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticized or judged. They also hide their issues from others. These people can be so anxious and stressed 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 different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a click here person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where more or less activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one task or thought to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to focus on important tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.