Twenty Myths About ADD And Treatment: Busted

Twenty Myths About ADD And Treatment: Busted

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ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at work, school or home. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

The psychiatric condition is often referred to as attention hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans.

The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal levels of activity during concentration and rest in the prefrontal cortex but they are less active in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and concentration. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and is unable to shift attention. They have difficulty falling asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night, battling anxiety. They are often overwhelmed by emotions and possess a short fuse, becoming easily frustrated and easily angry.

Ring of Fire ADD is distinguished by all the typical ADD symptoms however, it also has difficulties in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into a mean-spirited behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and low energy levels, are quick to anger, and get stuck on negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it is distinct because it stimulates activity in the limbic region of the brain during time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition that can be treated using supplements such as L-tryptophan, 5-HTP inositol, saffron, and saffron that increase focus, alertness and mood as well as mental clarity; amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit 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 that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Over-focused ADD sufferers are often caught in negative thoughts and behavior that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors that are similar to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when required to shift their focus from one task to the next and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.

They tend to be irritable, and their irritability is due to a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also be afflicted by memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse.

People with hyperfocused ADD may be rigid when it comes to switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are at risk of missing deadlines at work and not remembering appointments at home, and they might not finish tasks or school assignments. They can also be stubborn and resentful if they are disciplined or punished by their teachers or parents.

Children with hyper-focused ADD exhibit a high level of stubbornness and irritability, and are likely to throw inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They might be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They can also have difficulty communicating their feelings and are extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This form of ADD can be difficult to diagnose, especially when it affects children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability switch their focus from one thing to the next. It's important to consult a professional as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This kind of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of ADD is hard to treat even with stimulant medications, because it can increase hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD. It is especially useful in diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects the majority of sufferers of ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause problems with work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can lead to underachievement and feelings of unworthiness. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task.

They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. They can become so stressed and anxious that they experience panic attacks. These can be dangerous and life-threatening, resulting in a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Contrary to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC and can make it hard for these individuals to concentrate.

If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to treat than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD which are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people with anxious ADD due to a decrease in the activity of their PFC.

Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging such as SPECT scans to determine where in the brain more or less activity are found. This allows them to distinguish 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 ADD/ADHD. He or she might also inquire about mood and behavior in order to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Medications are sometimes used to treat ADD/ADHD but most patients need other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or 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 performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and storage of information as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggression. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change shape, or hearing sounds that others don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overstimulated by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans, disorganization, difficulty staying on task and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more prevalent in females. People suffering from this type of ADD may suffer from low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which can lead to feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping, anxiety and irritability.

In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain reveal that individuals with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus, the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to focus on important tasks. They can lose track of their schoolwork and their teachers or parents can become exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard time in relationships because they can be unpredictable or reactive and struggle with multitasking or working with other people. In certain situations they may suffer from depression or anxiety. They are susceptible click here to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Treatments for this type of ADD are not usually recommended since they do not address the root cause of symptoms.