11 "Faux Pas" Which Are Actually OK To Use With Your ADD And Treatment
11 "Faux Pas" Which Are Actually OK To Use With Your ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder may be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, motivation, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult time shifting their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too fast and are indecisive. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or too frequently.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder that can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These individuals often become threatened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one thing to another and respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool and their anger stems from a persistent depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when reprimanded by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and are susceptible treating adhd to throwing a rage when their interests are trampled on. They can be obsessive about particular 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 difficult to recognize, especially for children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This type of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is especially helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events, believing they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged or critiqued. Due to this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious 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 amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals focus.
If a person with anxiety or ADD the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They may also inquire about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe in the brain, which is responsible both for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to learn and store information, experience mood instability, and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have difficulty in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.