The 3 Greatest Moments In ADD And Treatment History
ADD and TreatmentADD and treatment is usually associated with problems at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
The symptoms of typical 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 reveal that people with this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, however it is different than depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and controls how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol that increase focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to reduce neural activity and stop nerve cells from over-firing or firing in a erratic manner; and liver support.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often misdiagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their attention from one task to the next, and can react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They are often irritable and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they may throw tantrums if their needs are not being accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more prevalent in children, and is often difficult to recognize. These children often don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to another. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as children with this kind of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously, is common and affects as much as half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD may cause problems at work, at school or in social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their troubles from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the Basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and place a high value on safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If a person suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are found. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each individual.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. They might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy as check here well as nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of depression or insufficient self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and teachers or parents can become tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others because they can be impulsive or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.