How ADD And Treatment Changed Over Time Evolution Of ADD And Treatment
How ADD And Treatment Changed Over Time Evolution Of ADD And Treatment
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ADD and Treatment
ADD and treatment is typically related to issues at home, school or work. The psychiatric condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is most commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals utilize brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. Medications such as stimulants and antidepressants may 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 with this type have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but less activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which produce dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, is easily distracted by noises and other stimuli, and has a hard time shifting attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with nightmares or anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms, but also by a difficulty in shifting their focus from one thought to the next and from one task to another. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch. They talk too fast and are highly impulsive. They are susceptible to low energy, moodiness and anger. They can also get caught up in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.
Limbic ADD can be mistaken for depression, but it's distinct from depression in that it causes increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the brain region that sets our emotional tone and regulates how happy or sad we are) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA can also be helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or in excess.
It is crucial to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder that can cause frustration and irritability as well as low self-esteem. The main difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to suffer from symptoms that occur in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is why it's often misdiagnosed. They can become angry when asked to switch their attention between tasks and can respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.
They tend to be angry and their irritability may be caused by a low-grade chronic depression or sadness. They may also have trouble learning, have memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People who have hyper-focused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their hobbies or work. They might 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 overfocused ADD can be angry and stubborn, and they may throw tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They can be obsessive about specific activities, toys, and video games. They are also unable to express their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This form of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly when it affects children. The majority of children don't understand that their issue is due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. This is why it's important to seek the help of an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This type of ADD is treatable with diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This type of ADD is hard to treat, even with stimulant medication due to the fact that it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is sometimes used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people with ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can be similar to the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues at work, in school or with social situations. This type of ADD could cause low performance and feelings of being unsatisfactory. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they'll fail.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. This is why they often hide their problems from their peers. These people can be so anxious and stressed that they have 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. They operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This causes a shutdown of PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone suffering from ADHD or ADD has anxiety, their symptoms are usually more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to the treatment programs for ADD/ADHD that are designed to increase brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.
The psychiatrists at Amen Clinics employ functional neuroimaging, like SPECT scanning, to determine which areas of the brain are areas of low or high levels of activity. This helps them distinguish between the seven types of brain and determine the best treatment.
A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and conduct a physical exam to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. Additionally, he or she may ask questions about behavior and mood to determine a patient's overall functioning. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD, however, most patients require other treatments in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, treatment adhd desensitization, and other relaxation techniques. This will help increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This kind of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storing information and mood swings, as well as severe anger or aggression. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, like experiencing a sense of déjà vu, seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds other people don't hear. They tend to be sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.
The symptoms of this kind of ADD are similar to those of Classic ADD, including short attention spans and disorganization, difficulties in staying on task and procrastinating. This type of ADD is not associated with excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. This kind of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can result in feelings of low motivation or a lack of self-regulation. The symptoms include insomnia, anger and anxiety.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that people with over-focused ADD have difficulty shifting gears. They have normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to the next and are stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also have a tendency to be easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may be struggling in relationships due to their tendency be impulsive and reactive. They also have difficulty managing multiple tasks and working with others. In some cases they may experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not advised for this kind of ADD as it doesn't treat the root of the symptoms.