10 Basics About ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn At School
10 Basics About ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn At School
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility, and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their attention between thoughts and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like 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 has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are prone to having a short fuse and their irritability stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing 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 and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use 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 differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve 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 with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and have intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with 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 result in feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD adhd treatment without meds where people can be highly motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents are often annoyed or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.