Causes of ADHD and ADD

Ask anyone in the medical community what are the causes of ADHD and they will tell you that they are unknown. But they will say that studies show that the disorder is highly genetic and widely hereditary. Those who have family members with ADD/ADHD are great candidates for having the condition themselves.

Some medical practitioners have claimed that there could be some prenatal and postnatal factors that may play a role in causing ADHD. These are things like cigarette smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy, lack of prenatal care, premature birth or brain trauma during delivery or shortly after the birth process. Some earlier studies have even shown that early exposure to lead may also bring on the symptoms of ADHD.

But more recent studies show that for children with ADHD, the prefrontal cortex of the brain matures about three years later, around the age of 10.5 years compared to kids without the condition. But again there is no explanation for the delay.

Overall the causes of ADHD and ADD are just simply unknown. There are however some very wild theories floating around the Internet that suggest some possible causes.

Some are blaming such things as a poor diet. They say many children and adults suffer from food allergies that have caused them to get ADHD. Others say eating too much sugar is a possible cause. Most medical practitioners do not support these myths. They will however admit that there may be certain people who react poorly to certain foods and additives which may exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD. This is why they will suggest programs like the Feingold Program and the C3 Kids Program to their patients. But most will argue that that food alone does not cause ADHD.

Television viewing has also been blamed for causing ADD and ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents not allow children under the age of two watch excessive television. Their concern is that television, because of the quick movements and rapid scene changes may affect early brain growth and development of social emotional and cognitive skills. Early research has also suggested that television may also be associated with decreased attention spans, but many neurologists and psychiatrists say the data to back up that claim is lacking. They say the TV viewing times of children with ADHD is not that much different from those without the disorder, which makes the research results somewhat inconsistent.

Poor parenting is another theory on the list of causes of ADHD. Some say that because the symptoms of ADHD are mostly behavioral, parents are to blame. But children and adults with ADD and ADHD come from all walks of life. Some are raised by two loving parents in stable homes, some come from strong disciplinary households and others with the disorder are growing up in homes that are completely dysfunctional. But the main problem with this theory, which is completely knocked down in the
One Stop ADHD audio program, is the fact that since the behavior problem also has a neurological component (chemical imbalance in the brain); it is very difficult to point to poor parenting and family life as one of the causes of ADHD.

As you explore this site and learn more about the various treatments for ADHD, you will read a lot about the role of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine. It is widely accepted both in the medical and homeopathic communities that children and adults with ADD and ADHD have a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects the production and reuptake of certain neurotransmitters. Pharmaceutical, homeopathic and nutriceutical practitioners all offer treatments that bring these chemicals into balance. But other than genetics and heredity, none will site exact causes for the imbalance, or possible brain development delays.



For more information on the causes of ADHD, watch our online ADHD Videos.

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