10 Facts About ADD And Treatment That Will Instantly Make You Feel Good Mood
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically 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 commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness and focus. This type has a limited attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviors. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They can also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests are not accepted. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
treatment for add in adults are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by decreasing activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he / she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can enhance their ability to control their moods and overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (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 type of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying causes of symptoms.