ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants may 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by 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 calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish 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 is more consistent in its level of irritability over 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 trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't recognized. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. visit the up coming document is a method to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If a person with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone 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 with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. visit the up coming document allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu, or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following directions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. 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. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.