ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition
ADD and Treatment ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat. The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans. Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. 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. Brain scans reveal that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed. Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings. Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it is distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion 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 at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. IamPsychiatry can also be helpful to calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively. It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as 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 Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's frequently incorrectly diagnosed. They can be emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior. They tend to be unhappy and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse. People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or hobbies. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers. Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection. This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional 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 the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful in diagnosing over-focused ADD. Anxious ADD Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration. Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social settings. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed. They also fear being judged or criticised. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Unlike 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 are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate. If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC. Amen Clinics psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each individual. To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs physical examination. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like 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 performance. Temporal Lobe ADD This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. This type of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and storage of information and mood swings, as well as severe 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 don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated. 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. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or 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 gyrus which is the brain's “gear shifter,” but they are having trouble shifting gears. They aren't able to shift 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 extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.