What is Attention Deficet Disorder caused by?

Question

I have ADD and I want to know what it is caused by because I am always having to move or talk.

Answer 1

Health professionals are finding more and more evidence that ADHD/ADD does not stem from a troubled home environment, but from biological causes. A single cause of ADHD/ADD has not been identified.

Current theories regarding the causes of ADHD include:

Low levels of dopamine (a brain chemical), which is a neurotransmitter (a type of brain chemical), are found in children with ADHD. Brain imaging studies using PET scanners (positron emission tomography; a form of brain imaging that makes it possible to observe the human brain at work) show that brain metabolism in children with ADHD is lower in the areas of the brain that control attention, social judgment, and movement.

Researchers measured the level of glucose used by the areas of the brain that inhibit impulses and control attention and found important differences between people who have ADHD and those who do not. Because glucose is the brain's main source of energy, measuring it is a good indicator of the brain's activity level. The researchers found that in people with ADHD, the brain areas that control attention used less glucose, indicating that they were less active. From this research, it appears that a lower level of activity in some parts of the brain may cause inattention.

Researchers are searching for other differences between those who have and do not have ADHD by studying how the brain normally develops in the fetus. With a better understanding of how the brain works when the nerve cells are connected correctly and incorrectly, they hope to determine what might prevent nerve cells from forming the proper connections. Some of the factors they are studying include drug use during pregnancy, toxins, and genetics:
a mother's use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy may have damaging effects on the unborn child
drugs such as cocaine, including crack, seem to affect the normal development of brain receptors
toxins in the environment may also disrupt brain development or brain processes

Attention disorders also tend to run in families:
children who have ADHD usually have at least one close relative who also has ADHD
at least one-third of all fathers who had ADHD in their youth bear children who have ADHD
the majority of identical twins share the trait

I will not deny that ADHD and ADD are being overdiagnosed and some children are being wrongly medicated, however, I think it is insensitive to deny that it exists at all or to blame the parents/teachers for its existance.

Answer 2

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought to be a neurological disorder, always present from childhood, which manifests itself with symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, poor impulse control, and distractibility.

ADHD/ADD arises from a combination of various genes, many of which have something to do with dopamine transporters, higher dopamine levels i believe it is, but I'm not entirely positive. An individuals diet also plays a role- a diet high in fat and low in omega-3 vitamins. A person's environment plays a big role as well- pregnant woman who smoke have a higher chance of having a baby born with ADD or ADHD along with other risks.

So all in all, multiple theories have been linked to ADD/ADHD- and NO, its not caused by boredome, teachers, or doctors wanting to place a label on you- that's a bunch of BS. Medication is also not the ONLY answer, medication will help a great deal, but there are other ways of treating people who suffer from the disorder.

Oh and for the Social Worker- teachers are now being trained to spot the appropriate criteria in order to properly diagnose children with ADD and ADHD. (I didnt mean that in a rude way by the way)

Answer 3

Teachers and parents not taking the time to work with their children properly!!! Kids are way over medicated and it is usually teachers who make the diagnosis. I am not saying that the disorder does not exist, but has become a crutch for parents and teachers that do not want to get creative enough or have the patience to effectively work with kids. Look at the inner city and poor neighborhood schools and you will see an overabundance of children on medication for ADD and ADHD. The issue is really the upbringing of troubled youth that needs to be treated by loving parents and therapy!

Answer 4

It's caused by the people who diagnose it. I hear, back in the day, that is was called, 'creativity,' or the person was deemed, 'active.'
I also think it's helped by boredom. I certainly have it, but I don't sit here thinking about it. I usually start thinking of something else first...
Having medications diagnosed to cure this 'disease' is just a way for the medical industry to make more money, and parents to not need to control their kids. It becomes an excuse.

Answer 5

I have a son that has ADHD and his Psychiatrist says it is caused by the front part of your brain not being able to slow down. NO it is not from parents and teachers not wanting to take the time. This is a disease and it can not be prevented. If you do not have a child with it you should not answer the question the way you did!!!

Answer 6

It's caused by doctors telling you something is wrong with you for being normal so they can push pills.

Well, when I was diagnosed with ADD as a kid, the doc told me it was caused by low levels of dopamine, so he gave me pills to increase my dopamine levels... I never took the pills, 'cause I was afraid if my brain became dependent on using pills to increase my dopamine levels, then the condition would only get worse, and I would need more pills in the future... I think I get by just fine without the pills, and I'm sure 75% of the KIDS diagnosed would grow up to function just fine in society. But I guess it's easier to put your children on pills to make them work better, instead of having them learn to cope and deal with obstacles.

Answer 7

ADHD can be inherited. I don't know how to explain it but got to: www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm

There's more to it than boredom. It is a medical condition that can be treated with or without medicaiton. You have to research what it is and what your options are.

Answer 8

Boredom.

Answer 9

it's caused by doctors who diagnose bored kids who act stupid with it

Answer 10

HUH WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? NAKED CHICKS