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Causes of ADHD

© Valerie de Armas

There are a lot of theories about the causes of ADD. Some people have said it is caused by a trauma at birth, others say sugar, food additives and caffeine are a cause of ADD. Still others say it is our environment, -television, bad parenting, life in the home. What causes some of us to be "different" in the ADD way?

Researchers now believe that ADD is biological and it is likely that it is inherited. It seems that the ADD brain does not function in the same way as the "normal" brain. Scientists have shown that the brains of those who have been diagnosed with ADD have less brain activity in the frontal lobes of the brain. People who have had frontal lobe head injuries often exhibit ADD symptoms such as impulsivity, distractibility and hyperactivity. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, may also play a role in ADD. Dopamine helps our brains take messages from one area of the brain to another area. Stimulant drugs, such as those used in the treatment of ADD, increase dopamine levels, so some researchers conclude that ADD is caused by insufficient dopamine.

Some people believe that bad parenting causes ADD. I'm sure you've heard people say things like, "he just needs a little discipline." Or "If he were mine, he wouldn't act like that!" Although proper care and discipline do play a significant role in child rearing, we can't blame all our ADD symptoms on our parents.

It is interesting to note that in studies of adopted children, heredity seems to play a greater role than environment. A high percentage of adopted children have ADD even though their adoptive parents are unlikely to have ADD. Looking at their birth parents, there is a high percentage of ADD.

Some people strongly believe that food additives and sugar cause ADD. When the theories are tested this doesn't seem to be the case. In a few children (about 5% or ADD children), symptoms seem to improve when sugar and food additives are removed from their diet. My advice would be to try removing these things from your diet (or your child's) and continue a restricted diet if it helps you and your child. I don't think you can point to the additives as a cause of ADD, though. The most important thing for those with ADD to remember is that ADD has been proven to be a neurobiological or neurochemical disorder. It means your brain works a little differently, but it is not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself or your upbringing. Another very important thing to remember is that there are many ways to cope and have a very full and rewarding life with ADD. Researchers have discovered that those with ADD are more creative and have a higher IQ than those with "normal" brains, so don't think of ADD as a "disorder". It is merely a "difference". A difference that can be very positive.