20 Irrefutable Myths About ADD And Treatment: Busted
20 Irrefutable Myths About ADD And Treatment: Busted
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health professionals use SPECT brain imaging to determine ADHD.
The signs of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of stimulants and antidepressants can ease the symptoms.
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 the basal ganglia which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter which promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have shorter attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have an impulsive personality, getting quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angry.
Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to noise, light, and touch; they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into a mean-spirited behaviors. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's different than depression because it has increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the brain region that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex at both rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing 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 poor self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and may have a short fuse.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be susceptible to throwing a rage when their interests are violated. They may be obsessed with certain activities like video games, toys, and toys. They also have trouble expressing their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is difficult to recognize, especially for children. Children who show this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their problems are caused by an inability to change their attention from one task to another. This is why it's important 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 using dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Some medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can how to get diagnosed and treated for adhd mirror the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inappropriate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause problems at school, at work or with social situations. This kind of ADD could lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or critiqued. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from others. In some cases, people are so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD differs from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is because treatments for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each patient.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs a physical exam. He or she may also ask about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases patients also need other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can aid in improving 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 memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced déjà vu, experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that others don't. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. This type of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can cause feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.
In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one task or thought to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior.
This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents are often tired or ashamed of their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working in a group. In some cases they might experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they do not address the underlying causes of symptoms.