The Ultimate Glossary On Terms About ADD And Treatment
The Ultimate Glossary On Terms About ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and manage.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals use the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and from one task to another. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix the symptoms of 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) as well as saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference 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 suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability can be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and have a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their hobbies or work. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and forgetting appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when punished by their parents or teachers.
Children who have overfocused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and can be likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention from one task to another. This is why it's important to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated using diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused adhd treatment for adults online ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school, or with social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or activities because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some instances, people are so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes the brain to shut down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD due to a decrease in activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also are often affected by a variety of sensory issues, including feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
The 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. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can cause feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to concentrate on their tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some instances, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.