A Trip Back In Time: What People Discussed About ADD And Treatment 20 Years Ago
A Trip Back In Time: What People Discussed About ADD And Treatment 20 Years Ago
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is often associated with problems at school, home or at work. The psychiatric illness isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of 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 reveal that those suffering from this condition 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, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep and frequently wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have a short fuse, becoming quickly frustrated with tasks and easily annoyed.
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 one thought to another thought and from task to task. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too quickly and are impulsive, and easily provoked to a negative behaviors. They are prone to low energy, moodiness, and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
Limbic ADD is often mistaken for depression, however it is distinct from depression in that it is associated with increased activity in the limbic region of the brain (the area that sets our mood and determines how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both 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 is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or excessively.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, while Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors which result in excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's frequently mistakenly diagnosed. They can become emotional when they are requested to switch their focus between tasks and can respond with a resentful or argumentative behavior.
They are generally irritable and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They might also have difficulty learning, have memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD may be rigid when it comes changing tasks and become engrossed in their work or hobby. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and they might not complete their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their parents or teachers.
Children with overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and may throw tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They might be obsessed with particular activities, toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. The majority of children don't understand that their problem is due to their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. 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 nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder at the same time is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Incorrect diagnosis can result in unsuitable treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This type of ADD can cause low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and criticised. They also hide their issues from others. In some instances, people are so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These panic attacks can be severe and life-threatening. They cause heart pounding, sweating and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This can shut down the PFC and can make it difficult for those with this condition to concentrate.
When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate brain activity, can actually increase anxiety among people with anxiety-related ADD.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This allows them to distinguish between the seven types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full more info medical history and conducts physical examination. In addition, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, 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. People with this type of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing shapes, and hearing sounds other people can't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overstimulated by certain activities, like computer screens or crowds.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People with this type of ADD might have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and poor self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with Overfocused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and are stuck in negative thought patterns and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and productive however, they tend to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They can lose track of their school work and teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be impulsive or reactive, and have difficulty managing multiple tasks or working with others. In certain situations they might suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as they don't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.