ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as 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 show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which 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 important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast 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 place a high priority on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause website feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a kind of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they tend to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD, because it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.