10 Facts About ADD And Treatment That Will Instantly Get You Into A Great Mood
10 Facts About ADD And Treatment That Will Instantly Get You Into A Great Mood
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to switch focus. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD however, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain during rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be unhappy, and their irritability is caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negativity. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or interests. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they may not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be resistant and angry when they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness and are prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are violated. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They may also have difficulty expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task 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 doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this treat adhd without medication adults kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify where in the brain more or less activity are present. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This can aid in improving their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu, or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, 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 directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking, but they tend to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often annoyed or ashamed of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not advised, since they do not address the underlying cause of symptoms.