ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or irregularly and liver support.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are prone to having a short temper and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can 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 school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. 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 being criticized. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger heart pounding sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. He or she might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of alternative treatments for adhd ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They can't move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.