ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition

ADD And Treatment: A Simple Definition

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ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.

The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to diagnose ADHD.

Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of 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. Scans of the brain show those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a limited attention span, is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.

It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They can become angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

They are generally angry and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have difficulty learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.

People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish homework or other school assignments. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.

Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with a particular activity, toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children often don't realize that their problem is caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is usually treated using dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inappropriate treatment and frustration.

Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.

They also fear being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. They can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. 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 causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.

If someone suffering from anxiety or ADD their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.

A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can increase their ability to manage their moods and overall performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is manifested by a lack of learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.

This kind of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following directions. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People with this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior.

This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their schoolwork, and their parents or teachers are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they can be depressed or anxious. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications I Am Psychiatry are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.