10 Factors To Know About ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn In School
10 Factors To Know About ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn In School
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as antidepressants and stimulants 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. Scans of the brain show those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability shift their attention between different things. It is important to speak with a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school, and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical untreated adhd life expectancy record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This will help improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change forms and hearing sounds that others don't. They are often sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive, but they tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship with others due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.