11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually OK To Use With Your ADD And Treatment
11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually OK To Use With Your ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently 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 commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Brain scans show that people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, however they have reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have difficulty falling asleep and are often woken up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They often feel overwhelmed by emotions and have short tempers, and are quickly frustrated with tasks and easily angered.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD, but they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They experience periods of depression and low energy levels, are easily angered, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.
It is crucial to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that result in excessive worry. This is due to rigid behaviors that are similar to those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between different activities, and they may react by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not complete their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This form of ADD is more prevalent among children, and is often difficult to diagnose. Children who show this behavior often have trouble understanding that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus between tasks. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medication as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD have high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause problems with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Because of this, they tend to hide their issues from their peers. These people can be so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. They can be extremely severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a pounding heart 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 place a high value on safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for people with this disorder to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to learn which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
To determine if a patient has ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and conducts an examination. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess a patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other treatments as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other relaxation techniques. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also be suffering from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
This kind of ADD has the same symptoms as Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also presents with difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in females. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anger and anxiety.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people suffering from over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They are unable to shift from one task or thought to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency to be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty multitasking and working in a group. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications for this alternative adhd treatment for adults type of ADD aren't usually advised, since they do not address the root causes of symptoms.