The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms For ADD And Treatment

ADD and Treatment ADD and treatment is typically associated with problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric condition isn't easy to identify and treat. The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans. The symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. Brain scans show that people suffering from this type of ADD are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. People with this type have a difficult in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by the noise or other stimuli and have a short attention span. They have trouble falling asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed. Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus between thoughts and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings. Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines the level of happiness or sadness we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively. It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder which can also result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent degree of irritability throughout the course of time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves. Overfocused ADD Overfocused ADD patients are often stuck in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behavior that is similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior. They are generally irritable and their irritability may be caused by chronic low-grade sadness or negative mood. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression. People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when they have to change tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They may forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and they might not complete their homework or chores. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents. Children with hyperfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with particular toys, activities, and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions and may be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection. This type of ADD is more common in children, and is often difficult to recognize. Children who show this behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their attention between tasks. IamPsychiatry is why it's essential to seek help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Some medications are prescribed, but this type of ADD can be difficult to treat using stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD. Anxious ADD Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common, impacting about half of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and even more frustration. Anxious ADD can cause problems at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and activities because they think they're not capable of completing the task. They also fear being judged or considered a victim. This is why they often hide their troubles 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 a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is distinct from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia, as well as the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and focus on safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus. If a person suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is because treatment plans for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain could actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC. The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are low and/or high levels of activity. This allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each patient. A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical examination to determine if a patient has the condition of ADD/ADHD. They might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to assess the patient's overall performance. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall functioning. Temporal Lobe ADD This kind of ADD involves the temporal lobe in the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggressive issues. They might also experience sensory issues such as feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed. This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to feelings of depression and low self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability. In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal 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 experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors. This is a form of ADD that is characterized by people who are extremely motivated and productive 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 hard relationship with others because they can be impulsive or reactive, and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some instances, they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They might be susceptible to panic attacks and hallucinations. The use of medication is not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.