Watch Out: What ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Watch Out: What ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce 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 or other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost concentration, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can be emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar treatment for adhd and ptsd combined to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in 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 are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor might also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They can't move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.