The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About ADD And Treatment
The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.
The psychiatric condition is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.
Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Treatments 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. Brain scans show that those with this type of ADD have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a hard to focus their attention, are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have a short attention span. 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 annoyed by tasks and easily annoyed.
People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD However, they also have difficulty shifting their focus from thought to thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked to a negative behavior. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's distinct because it stimulates 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) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability, frustration and low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger 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 cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They are often frightened emotionally when required to shift their attention from one activity to another, and can respond with argumentative or oppositional behavior.
They are prone to having an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and desperation. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and may have a short fuse.
People with overfocused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their job or pastime. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being respected. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.
This type of ADD is more common among children, and is difficult to recognize. Children often don't realize the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to switch their focus from one thing to the next. It is essential to talk to an expert since these children are more likely to have their ADD misdiagnosed. This kind of ADD is typically treated with diet changes, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can raise a person's levels of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or in 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 that they won't be successful.
They also fear being criticised or being judged. Due to this, they often hide their problems from their peers. In some cases, people are so anxious and stressed that they develop panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different 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 can shut down the PFC, which can make it difficult for those with this condition to focus.
If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people who suffer from anxiety ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best method of treatment.
A psychiatrist will collect an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. The doctor might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD involves the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and are prone to severe anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues, such as experiencing like they're in a dream and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also includes difficulty in staying focused or following directions. However, this type of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this case QEEG scans of ADD brain show that those with over-focused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are not able to move from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviours.
This is a kind of ADD where individuals can be highly motivated and productive but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by non-essential or unimportant tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a hard relationship with others because they are impulsive or reactive, and have a hard time managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations, they could suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. Medications are typically not treatment adhd advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't address the root cause of the symptoms.