ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 type can maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness 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 falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often misdiagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one activity to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and could become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their problems are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia iampsychiatry.com and the amygdala, which 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 focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.