Watch Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
Watch Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 promotes motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to anger and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different because it increases activity in the limbic part of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to another. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar treatment for adhd in adults to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to get distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended, as they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.