11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Okay To Use With Your ADD And Treatment
ADD and TreatmentADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals employ the SPECT brain imaging method to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have decreased activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms as well as the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to the next and between tasks. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more constant level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and desperation. They might also have 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 may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and may not complete chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and obstinate, and they might throw temper tantrums when their needs are not being accepted. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This type of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to the next. It's important to consult an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD is usually treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well.
They also fear being criticized or being judged. They hide their problems to others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They trigger a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the get more info amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone with ADD/ADHD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity in their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist takes a thorough medical history and conducts a physical exam. Additionally, he or might ask questions regarding the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate a patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
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 storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type 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 does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in women. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency to be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations they may be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.