ADD And Treatment Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
ADD And Treatment Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilty feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one activity to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not finish their homework or chores. They may also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially in children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their focus from one thing 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 using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being judged or criticised. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. 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 security. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to focus.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a alternative adhd treatment for adults patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many instances, patients also require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and have intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD that is characterized by people who are highly motivated and hardworking but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their school work and their teachers or parents can become tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They might have a difficult time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.