Check Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
Check Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as 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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy levels, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also be afflicted by memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be adhd overstimulation treatment likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and is difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's important to seek out help from an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously, is common and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in 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 types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. They may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. 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 for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following instructions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can cause feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one task or thought to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can get lost in their school work and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.