10 Fundamentals About ADD And Treatment You Didn't Learn At School

ADD and Treatment ADD and its treatment are often connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD. Some of the symptoms are being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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 show that people suffering from this type are able to maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness and concentration. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and often get angry. Those with Ring of Fire ADD have all the hallmarks of classic ADD however, they also have trouble shifting their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, sound, and touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings. Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it is different than depression because it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan, 5-HTP as well as saffron and inositol, which boost alertness, focus and mood as well as mental clarity. Also, amino acid GABA to calm neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing too much or in a erratic manner and liver support. It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder which can also cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has a more constant level of irritability and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves. Overfocused ADD Overfocused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worrying. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They can become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior. They are generally unhappy and their irritability may be due to a low-grade chronic sadness or negativity. They may also experience difficulties learning, have memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression. People who suffer from over-focused ADD are not flexible when they have to change tasks, and may become enthralled by their work or hobbies. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents. Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They may also have trouble expressing their feelings and be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism. This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Children who exhibit this behavior are often unable to comprehend that their issues are caused due to the inability of them to shift their focus from one task to the next. This is the reason it's crucial to seek out 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 is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to distinguish the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD. Anxious ADD Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having multiple disorders simultaneously is a common problem and affects as much as half of those with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may result in unsuitable treatment and frustration. Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People who suffer from anxiety ADD avoid difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful. They also fear being criticized or being judged. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so stressed and anxious that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing problems. 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 place a high value on security. This shuts down the PFC, which can make it hard for these individuals to focus. When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to treat. This is due to treatments for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxious ADD. Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. This helps them distinguish between the seven types and determine the most effective treatment. To diagnose ADD/ADHD, a psychiatrist collects a full medical history and performs an examination. He or she may also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other therapies too, including cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This may improve their ability to control their emotions and their overall performance. Temporal Lobe ADD This kind of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and have extreme anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues like feeling like they're in a dream, seeing shadows or objects change shape, or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They can be irritable, sensitive and easily overwhelmed. This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of low motivation or poor self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety. In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD are having difficulties shifting gears. They are experiencing normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's “gearshifter”). add natural treatment are not able to move from one thought or task to the next, and they are stuck in negative thought patterns and behavior. This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and productive but tend not to pay attention to important tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship with others due to their tendency to be impulsive or reactive, and struggle with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could experience anxiety or depression. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and are susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not advised, since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.