Watch Out: What ADD And Treatment Is Taking Over And How To Stop It

ADD and Treatment ADD and its treatment are often associated with problems at school, work, or home. The psychiatric illness is often difficult to identify and manage. The psychiatric disorder is commonly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD with SPECT brain scans. The symptoms of typical ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and disorganized. 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. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this type can maintain normal activity while concentrating and at rest in the prefrontal cortex, however, they have less activity in their cerebellum and the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, calmness, and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus, are easily distracted by noise and other stimuli, and have short attention spans. They also have difficulty sleeping and frequently wake up during the night with anxiety or nightmares. They are easily frustrated and often get angry. Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms as well as a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They have a sensitivity to light, noise, and touch and they talk too fast and are impulsive and easily triggered into mean behaviors. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They are also prone to getting stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings. It is possible to confuse the symptoms of limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain at time of rest and during concentration. It is a condition which can be treated with supplements like L-tryptophan 5-HTP, saffron, and inositol that improve focus, alertness, mood, and mental clarity. They also use amino acid GABA to regulate neural activity and inhibit nerve cells from over-firing or firing erratically; and liver support. 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 distinction is that ADD with Limbic Symptoms is more prone to constant frustration and irritability over time, whereas Bipolar Disorder symptoms tend to appear in waves. Overfocused ADD Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behavior patterns that are similar to the ones of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is the reason it's often misdiagnosed. They may become angry when requested to switch their focus between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior. They are prone to having a short fuse and their anger stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness “glass half-empty syndrome,” and frequently feeling hopeless and worthlessness. They might also have difficulty learning, struggle with memory issues, or have extreme anger and aggression. People who have hyper-focused ADD are inflexible when it comes to changing tasks, and can be captivated by their hobbies or work. They may forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work, and they may not complete their schoolwork or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents. Children with hyperfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests are not recognized. They might be obsessed with certain activities such as toys and video games. They also have trouble expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism. This type of ADD can be difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children often don't realize that their issue is due to their inability to shift their focus between different things. This is the reason it's crucial to seek the help of an expert, as these youngsters are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is treatable with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is difficult to treat, even with stimulant medication, because it can increase 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 who suffer from ADD have a high degree of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder at the same time) is common and affects up to half of all people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety may resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and the wrong diagnosis can lead to ineffective treatment and further frustration. Anxious ADD can lead to problems at work, school and social situations. This kind of ADD can result in low performance and feelings of inadequacy. People suffering from anxious ADD tend to avoid challenging tasks and events because they believe they're not capable of completing the task. They also fear being judged or critiqued. Because of this, they often hide their problems from others. People with anxiety can become so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. They can be extremely life-threatening and cause a pounding heart, sweating and breathing problems. Anxious ADD is different 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 safety. This shuts down PFC and makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus. If someone suffers from anxiety and ADD/ADHD, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxiety-related ADD. Psychiatrists at Amen Clinics use functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scanning, to learn where in the brain there are high and/or low levels of activity. This allows them to distinguish between the seven different types of ADD and determine the most effective treatment for each person. A psychiatrist will take the complete medical history of a patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, he / she may ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD but in most cases, patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise, sleep strategies, desensitization and other techniques to relax. This may improve their ability to control their moods and overall function. Temporal Lobe ADD This type of ADD involves the brain's temporal lobe, which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterised by a problem learning and storage of information, mood instability and severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from a variety of sensory issues, such as feeling like they've experienced deja vu or seeing shadows or objects change shapes, and hearing sounds others don't. They are often sensitive and irritable and are often overwhelmed by certain activities, 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 following directions or staying on task, and procrastinating. This kind of ADD does not cause an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more prevalent in females. This type of ADD is characterized by low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Some of the symptoms include difficulty sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety. 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 region which is the brain's “gear shifter,” but they are having trouble shifting gears. They are not able to move from one task or thought to another, and become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behavior. This is a form of ADD in which people are extremely motivated and hardworking but tend not to concentrate on their tasks. They may lose track of their school work, and their teachers or parents are often exhausted or embarrassed by their behavior. They may experience difficulties in relationships due to their tendency be reactive and impulsive. They also have trouble managing multiple tasks and working with others. In adhd medication side effects may suffer from depression or anxiety. They may be susceptible to panic attacks, and are susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD aren't usually recommended, as they don't address the underlying reason for the symptoms.