20 Misconceptions About ADD And Treatment: Busted
20 Misconceptions About ADD And Treatment: Busted
Blog Article
ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to determine ADHD.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications like stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.
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. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from 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, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. 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 have difficulty falling asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They can be easily annoyed and can be easily angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by difficulties in shifting their focus between thoughts and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to get angry and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to confuse the condition of limbic ADD with depression. But it is different because it increases activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing erratically or excessively.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which 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 has a more constant level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability can be caused by a low-grade chronic sadness or negative mood. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very resistant and angry when they are disciplined or punished by their parents or teacher.
Children with overfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. due to the inability of them to shift their attention from one task to another. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication, because it can increase the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to distinguish 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. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and even more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.
They also fear being criticised or judged. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from others. They can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to concentrate.
If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are high and/or low levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from the condition of ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medication is used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, nutrition, exercise sleep strategies, and desensitization. This can improve their ability to control their emotions and improve their overall function.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information and experience mood swings and suffer from intense anger or aggression issues. They also suffer from various sensory issues, such as feeling like they have déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other website people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in following directions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.
In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain show that individuals with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they get stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a type of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be hyper-active or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In certain situations they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.