Guide To ADD And Treatment: The Intermediate Guide To ADD And Treatment
Guide To ADD And Treatment: The Intermediate Guide To ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 people with this type 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 produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviour. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being criticised or judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADHD or ADD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This will help enhance their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are not able to move from one non medication treatment for adhd adults task or thought to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.