Why We Are In Love With ADD And Treatment (And You Should Also!)
ADD and TreatmentADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can 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. Brain scans reveal that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that result in excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotionally upset when requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a persistent negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their attention from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or judged. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help enhance their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is symptoms of untreated adhd responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and have intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they tend to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they might experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root reason for the symptoms.