The Ultimate Glossary On Terms About ADD And Treatment
The Ultimate Glossary On Terms About ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically connected to problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications 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 with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused 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). They may become angry 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 fuse and their anger stems from a chronic low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability shift their focus between different things. It is essential to talk to an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in 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 place a high priority on safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also ask about the patient's treatment for inattentive adhd mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are often sensitive and angry and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain indicate that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.
This is a type of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive, but they have a tendency to get distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.