Check Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
Check Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants 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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behaviour. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by 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 excessively.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have trouble communicating their feelings and are very sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their focus from one thing to another. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may 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 type of ADD could result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts an examination. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like 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 overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using website qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.