Watch Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Watch Out: How ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at home, school or at work. The psychiatric disorder is 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 utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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 show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds and other stimuli, and is unable to shift focus. 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.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and low energy, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is crucial 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 frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. These individuals often become threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and may respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are generally angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and may become enthralled by their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They may also be stubborn and resentful if they are punished or reprimanded by their teacher or parents.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD is more common in children, and is difficult to diagnose. Children often don't realize that their problem is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social settings. This type of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They also fear being judged or judged. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They can cause an increase in heart rate, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for people with ADD to focus.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain more or less activity are found. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts physical examination. He or she may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from a variety of sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and alternative treatments for adhd are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following instructions or staying focused and procrastinating. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move 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 tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They may lose track of their school work and parents or teachers are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty 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 advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.