10 Facts About ADD And Treatment That Will Instantly Set You In A Positive Mood

10 Facts About ADD And Treatment That Will Instantly Set You In A Positive Mood

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ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are frequently associated with problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD using SPECT brain images.

The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. The use of 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 both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter which enhances focus, motivation and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They often feel overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly annoyed by tasks and easily angered.

Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their focus between thoughts and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked into mean behaviour. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

It is possible to mix the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. But it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic area of the brain at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated with supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help calm neural activity, inhibiting nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.

It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, which can cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behavior that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is the reason it's often incorrectly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one thing to another and react with a threatening or hostile behavior.

They tend to be angry, and their irritability is caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They might also have memory problems, experience severe anger, and have a short fuse.

People with overfocused ADD are unable to adapt when it comes to changing tasks, and may be captivated by their work or hobbies. They are prone to missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish homework or other school assignments. They could also be stubborn and resentful when punished by their teachers or parents.

Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they might throw temper tantrums when their interests are not recognized. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This form of ADD is more prevalent in children, and can be difficult to diagnose. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to shift their attention between here different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD can be treated using nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Sometimes, medications are prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven kinds of ADD. It is particularly useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD suffer from 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 may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and more frustration.

Anxious ADD can lead to problems at school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD may result in low performance and feelings of inadequateness. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear they won't succeed.

They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these people are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. Anxious ADD is different from Classic ADD because it has an increased activity in the basal ganglia and the amygdala. These areas are instinctive and prioritize safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to focus.

When a person has ADD/ADHD and anxiety their symptoms are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to increase brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.

Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment.

A psychiatrist will take a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or might ask questions regarding mood and behavior to assess the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, but in most cases, patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible 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 feeling deja vu, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive, and often become overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following instructions or staying focused, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in women. People suffering from this type of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of depression and low self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anger and anxiety.

In this case, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (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 behavior.

This is a form of ADD where people are highly motivated and hardworking but tend not to focus on important tasks. They can lose track and feel embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They might have a difficult relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and struggle dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They can be prone to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.