20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In ADD And Treatment
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and manage.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Medications 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 people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These regions help to produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up at night with nightmares or anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch; they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and fatigue, are quick to get angry, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol, which boost alertness, focus, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing irregularly and liver support.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The 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 have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. They can be angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD show a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and can be difficult to diagnose. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. This is why it's important to seek the help of a professional, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is usually treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is extremely difficult 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 overfocused 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, impacting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They are afraid of being judged or criticised. others. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they have panic attacks. These can be very severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding, 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 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, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans in order to determine which areas of the brain have high and/or lower levels of activity are present. This helps them differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This will help increase their ability to manage their moods and overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. treatment of add can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those 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 task or thought to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD which means that people are extremely motivated and hardworking, but they tend to get distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and be embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a hard relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.