What You Can Do To Get More Out Of Your ADD And Treatment
What You Can Do To Get More Out Of Your ADD And Treatment
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Treatments 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 reveal that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase focus, alertness and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as 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 manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
They are generally unhappy and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete chores or school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it treating inattentive adhd can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. This is why they tend to hide their issues from others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need 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 performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working with others. In certain situations they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.