Introduction To The Intermediate Guide In ADD And Treatment

ADD and Treatment ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage. The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans. Some of the symptoms are 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 with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and can be easily angry. Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behaviour. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings. It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently. It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration 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 that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves. Overfocused ADD Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior. These people tend to have a short fuse and their irritability stems from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity “glass half-empty syndrome,” and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression. People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home and may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished or reprimanded by their teachers or parents. Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't accepted. They might be obsessed with particular activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism. This type of ADD is more prevalent among children, and can be difficult to recognize. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability shift their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's essential to seek out help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat using stimulant medications because they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often 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 experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and more frustration. Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful. They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from others. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These can be very dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it difficult for people with ADD to focus. When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to treat. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC. The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning to discover where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment. A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. He or she may also ask about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function. Temporal Lobe ADD This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and keeping information in memory and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be extremely sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds. This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. treatment of add of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability. In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's “gearshifter”). They can't move from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior. This is a form of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with others. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.