ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD and Treatment ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD. Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex, but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to switch attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry. Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are easily angered and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt. Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently. It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves. Overfocused ADD Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior. They are often angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression. People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and may become highly captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents. Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection. This form of ADD can be difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD. Anxious ADD Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration. add and treatment can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they won't do well. They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus. If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD 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 could actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC. Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds 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 conducts an examination. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning. Temporal Lobe ADD This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and are prone to extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds. This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulties staying focused or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability. In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's “gearshifter”). They are unable to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior. This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often exhausted or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some instances, they can experience anxiety or depression. They may be prone hallucinations and panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.