20 Truths About ADD And Treatment: Busted
20 Truths About ADD And Treatment: Busted
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include 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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to switch attention. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift 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 to a negative behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to 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 have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. untreated adhd in adults This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and have severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD in which people are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a hard time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.