From All Over The Web: 20 Fabulous Infographics About ADD And Treatment

ADD and Treatment

ADD and its treatment are frequently connected to problems at school, work or home. The psychiatric disorder can be difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly used term for this psychiatric disorder. Mental health specialists diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.

The symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Treatments such as 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. The scans of the brain reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. This type has a short attention span, and is easily distracted by sounds or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble falling asleep and are often woken up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.

People with Ring of Fire ADD have all the core symptoms of the classic ADD However, they also struggle to shift their attention from one thought to another thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to noise, light and even touch. They talk too quickly and are indecisive. They are susceptible to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt feelings.

It is possible to confuse limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic region of the brain during the moment of rest and while concentrating. It can be treated with supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol that increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.

It is important to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, which also can trigger irritability, anger, and poor self-esteem. The difference is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant anger and frustration over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD patients tend to get caught up in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. People with OCD are often threatened emotionally when asked to shift their attention from one task to the next and may react with a threatening or hostile behavior.

These people tend to have an inability to keep their cool and their irritability stems from a constant low-grade sadness or negativity "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, feel intense anger, and are prone to having a short fuse.

People with overfocused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can become highly captivated by their work or hobbies. They might forget appointments and deadlines at work or at home and may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are punished by their teachers or parents.

Children with hyper-focused ADD have a high degree of irritability and stubbornness, and may be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are trampled on. They might be obsessed with a particular activity such as toys and video games. They may also have trouble in expressing their emotions and can be very sensitive to criticism or rejection.

This kind of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly in children. The majority of children don't understand the cause of their condition. It's due to their inability to shift their focus adhd treatment for older adults from one thing to the next. It is important to speak with an expert since these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed for ADD. This type of ADD can be treated with dietary modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of ADD is difficult to treat even with stimulant medications as it can cause the intensity of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD have high levels of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting about half of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and incorrect diagnosis can lead to inadequate treatment and even more frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause issues with school, work and social situations. This kind of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People who suffer from anxiety ADD are hesitant to take on difficult tasks or events because they are afraid they won't be successful.

They are also afraid of being judged or being criticized. They hide their problems to others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These can be severe and life-threatening, causing sweating, a heart that is pounding and breathing problems. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia and the amygdala, which operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This shuts down PFC and can make it difficult for these individuals concentrate.

If a person with ADD/ADHD has anxiety their symptoms are generally more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, which are designed to stimulate brain activity, may actually increase anxiety among those with anxiety-related ADD.

Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to determine where in the brain there are low and/or high levels of activity. This helps them differentiate between the seven types and determine the best treatment.

A psychiatrist will collect a complete medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if a patient has ADHD or ADD. In addition, he / might ask questions regarding behavior and mood to determine the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD. However, in most cases patients also need other therapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy as well as exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies and desensitization. This can improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This kind of ADD is a problem with the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People with this type of ADD struggle to learn and store information they experience mood instability and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They might also experience sensory issues like feeling deja vu when objects or shadows change form or hearing sounds that other people don't hear. They are often irritable and sensitive and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

Symptoms of this type of ADD are similar to those in Classic ADD, including short attention spans disorganization, difficulty in following directions or staying on task and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause excessive impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterised by low levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to feelings of depression or poor self-regulation. It is characterized by sleeplessness, anxiety and irritability.

In this instance, qEEG scans of the ADD brain show that those with Overfocused ADD have difficulties shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviours.

This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and hardworking but are unable to concentrate on their tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted due to their actions. They may have a hard time in relationships due to their tendency to be hyper-active or reactive, and have difficulty with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are not usually advised for this kind of ADD, because it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.