20 Tips To Help You Be More Effective At ADD And Treatment
20 Tips To Help You Be More Effective At ADD And Treatment
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually connected to problems at work, school or at home. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals employ brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, and unorganized. Medications such as 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. 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, which is a neurotransmitter that promotes motivation, focus and a sense of calm. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They have trouble falling asleep, and they often awake in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too fast and are impulsive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can cause frustration, irritability and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
These people tend to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, experience memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their hobbies or work. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work, and forgetting appointments at home and they might not finish chores or school assignments. They can also be very stubborn and resentful when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with hyper-focused ADD show a high degree of irritability and stubbornness and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They may be obsessed with specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by a lack of ability to switch their attention between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from a professional, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting 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 more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work, and social situations. This type of ADD may cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.
They also fear being judged or criticised. They also hide their issues from others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they have panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They trigger an increase in heart rate sweating, breathing difficulties and difficulty. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage here than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where high and/or lower levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. The doctor may also inquire about mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of instances, patients also require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as diet, exercise, sleep strategies and desensitization. This may enhance their ability to control their emotions and their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn, experience mood instability, and suffer from extreme anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They tend to be irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or insufficient self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but have a tendency not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired because of their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships due to their tendency to be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some instances, they might experience anxiety or depression. They are susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not recommended, as they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.