20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In ADD And Treatment
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. treatments of adhd are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at 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 help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
These people are likely to have a short temper, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded or chastised by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. These children often don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high level of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority 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 cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating 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 focus on safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
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. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This may improve 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 responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have 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 form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.