What Causes ADD/ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD has not been determined, however ADHD is thought to have a genetic component as it tends to occur among family members. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that close relatives of people with ADHD have about a 5 times greater than random chance of having ADHD themselves, as well as a higher risk for such common accompanying disorders as anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, and conduct disorder.

The AAP also reports that an identical twin is at high risk of sharing his twin’s ADHD, and a sibling of a child with ADHD has about a 30% chance of having similar problems. There is ongoing research focusing on identifying genes that may cause a person to be more susceptible to ADHD.

Research continues to study the link between ADHD and brain structure, brain chemistry especially related to dopamine and norepinephrine (which regulate attention and activity), and differences in function of parts of the brain that affect attention and impulse control. There is more clarity on what does not cause ADHD. It is not the result of poor parenting, poor teaching, laziness or lack of motivation and discipline.

Click on Causes of ADHD to Watch an Informative Video about ADHD.

_Source

National Institute of Mental Health. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. 2006.