There's A Reason Why The Most Common ADD And Treatment Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think
There's A Reason Why The Most Common ADD And Treatment Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Might Think
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually associated with problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to another and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that improve alertness, focus and mood. They also improve mental clarity; amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or erratically and liver support.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can trigger irritability, anger and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They may become angry when asked to switch their attention between different activities, and they may react with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability can be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and may not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this behavior often have trouble understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus from one task to another. This is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be 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 helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, affecting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid difficult tasks or activities because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. This is why they often hide their problems from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADD/ADHD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he / will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a first line treatment for adhd in adults patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in most instances, patients also require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG brain mapping scans of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost in their school work, and their parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.