The ADD And Treatment Awards: The Most Stunning, Funniest, And The Most Bizarre Things We've Seen
ADD and Treatment ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work or at home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most popular name used for this psychiatric condition. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans. The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants 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. Scans of the brain show people with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which help make dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus and a sense of calm. This type has a short attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli and is unable to shift focus. They are unable to fall asleep, and they often wake up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. They are often overwhelmed by their emotions and have short tempers, and are easily frustrated and easily angry. Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They have a sensitivity to light, noise and touch and talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered to a negative behavior. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are quick to anger and are prone to relapse into negative thoughts and guilt feelings. Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression because it is associated with increased activity in the limbic portion of the brain (the part that determines our emotional tone and regulates the level of happiness or sadness we are) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) as well as saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently. It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms has more consistent anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves. Overfocused ADD Overfocused ADD patients often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors which trigger excessive worrying. This is due to rigid behavior that is similar to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when they are required to shift their focus from one activity to another and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior. These people are likely to have an inability to keep their cool, with their irritability coming from a persistent low-grade sadness or negativity “glass half-empty syndrome” and often feeling of despair and a sense of worthlessness. They might also have memory issues, experience extreme anger, and may have a short fuse. People who have hyper-focused ADD might be rigid when it comes to changing tasks and may become absorbed in their work or hobby. They are more likely to miss deadlines at work, and not remembering appointments at home, and may not complete homework or other school assignments. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their parents or teachers. Children with hyperfocused ADD can be irritable and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their needs are not being recognized. They can be obsessive about particular toys, activities, and video games. They can also have difficulty in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection. This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding that their issues are caused by an inability to change their focus from one task to the next. This is why it's essential to seek the help of an expert, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This type of ADD is typically treated with modifications to diet, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. treatment for adults with add are sometimes prescribed, however this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications, as these can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to differentiate the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD. Anxious ADD Many people suffering from ADD experience high levels of anxiety. Comorbidity, or having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common occurrence and can affect up to half of people with 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 school, at work or in social situations. This kind of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People with anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events, believing they won't do well. They also fear being judged or being judged. This is why they tend to hide their issues from their peers. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing difficulties. Anxious ADD differs 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 security. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals focus. If a person with ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of someone who does not suffer from anxiety. This is because treatment protocols for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may increase anxiety in those with anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity of their PFC. The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging techniques, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the most effective treatment. A psychiatrist will gather the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose ADHD or ADD. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall functioning. Sometimes, medications are prescribed to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in many cases, patients require other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, and desensitization. This will help improve their ability to control their moods and overall functioning. Temporal Lobe ADD This kind of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn they experience mood instability and have intense anger or aggression issues. They may also suffer from sensory issues such as feeling deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are irritable, sensitive and easily overstimulated. The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task, and procrastinating. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD occurs more often in women. This type of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of anxiety or irritability. In this instance brain mapping scans qEEG of the brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate region, the brain's “gear shifter,” but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They are unable to move from one task or thought to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behavior. This is a type of ADD which means that people are highly motivated and hardworking, but they have a tendency to get easily distracted by mundane or insignificant tasks. They may lose focus and become embarrassed or tired due to their actions. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have issues managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations or panic attacks. The use of medications for this kind of ADD are not usually recommended since they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.