15 Unquestionably Good Reasons To Be Loving ADD And Treatment
ADD and TreatmentADD and treatment is usually related to issues at home, school or at work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications 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. Brain scans show that 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 help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and often feeling of despair and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children and is often difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability shift their attention from one thing to the next. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They also fear being criticized or judged. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart, and difficulty breathing. 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 causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he / she may ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as treatment for add adhd in adults feeling like they have deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type 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 depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships because of their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't address the root cause of the symptoms.