Introduction To The Intermediate Guide For ADD And Treatment
Introduction To The Intermediate Guide For ADD And Treatment
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors similar to people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often irritable, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be likely to non medication treatment for adhd adults throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. 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 type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels 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 with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority 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 even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs physical examination. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in many instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they have deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overstimulated.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD might have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have difficulty in relationships because of their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be prone panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.