20 Misconceptions About ADD And Treatment: Busted
20 Misconceptions About ADD And Treatment: Busted
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Some of the symptoms are 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 people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily annoyed.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic part of the brain at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as 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 in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to manifest in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and respond with an argumentative or hostile behavior.
They are often angry and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and obstinate, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent in children and is difficult to diagnose. Children who exhibit this type of behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, also known as having multiple disorders at the same time, is common and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or judged. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. They can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize security. This can shut down PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to treat than those of someone who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinics psychiatrists use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and conduct 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 patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients need other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This who can treat adhd in adults kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to process and store information and experience mood swings and are prone to intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be extremely irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD occurs more often in women. People suffering from this type of ADD might 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 brain mapping scans of the brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They can't move from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a kind of ADD where people can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They might have a difficult relationship with others because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.