The Three Greatest Moments In ADD And Treatment History
ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. Treatments such as 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type are able to maintain normal activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but have decreased activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention and are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of the classic ADD however, they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They can experience periods of agitation and fatigue, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
It is possible to mix limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different because it increases activity in the limbic region of the brain when it is at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP), saffron and inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or too frequently.
It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause 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 level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thought patterns and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one thing to another and may respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
These people are likely to have a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They may also have trouble learning, struggle with memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who suffer from over-focused ADD are unable to adapt when they have to change tasks, and could be captivated by their work or interests. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they may not finish chores or school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children who have overfocused ADD exhibit a high level of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly in children. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to their inability to shift their attention between different things. It's important to consult an expert as these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is a method to differentiate between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common problem and can affect up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This kind of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.
They also fear being criticized or considered a victim. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. In some cases, these people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart, sweating and difficulty breathing. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone with anxiety or ADD, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who doesn't have anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are areas of low or high levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will gather a complete medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This can increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain, which is responsible both for mood and memory. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggressive issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those seen in Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task and procrastinating. However, treating adult add of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of irritability or anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are experiencing difficulties shifting gears. treating adults with adhd show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They may lose focus and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have trouble multitasking and working with others. In some cases, they can be depressed or anxious. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are not usually recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.