Home Topics AdhdCauses And Risk Factors

ADHD: Causes, Risk Factors and More

With more and more children, teenagers and even adults being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many Americans are asking, "What is ADHD?"

ADHD is a chronic mental condition characterized by inattentiveness, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Between 3 and 5 percent of all American children of school age suffer from ADHD. While ADHD always begins in childhood, it may persist into adulthood. Approximately half of all children with ADHD will continue to battle the disorder as adults.

ADHD Symptoms

In most children who are diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms tend to appear before the age of 7. ADHD symptoms are grouped into two categories:

Hyperactivity-Impulsive Behavior

doesn't remain seated
feels restless
fidgets or squirms
has a hard time staying quiet and talks excessively
has a hard time waiting for his turn
interrupts or intrudes on others
often blurts out answers to questions in class (if applicable)
runs or climbs excessively.

Inattention

avoids work that requires sustained mental effort
easily distracted
fails to finish work, chores or tasks
fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in work or other activities
forgetful
frequently loses items
had a hard time following instructions
has trouble sustaining attention during tasks
seems to not listen.

Generally, a child is diagnosed with ADHD only if he shows six or more inattention symptoms and six or more hyperactivity-impulsive behaviors for at least six months. Most children with ADHD do not exhibit all of the symptoms of ADHD.

ADHD Causes

While scientists believe that structural changes in the brain are likely the leading cause of ADHD, most also believe that environmental factors can contribute to the disorder or worsen the behavior of someone with the disorder. Researchers believe that the following factors play a role in ADHD:

Altered Brain Function and Anatomy: Researchers have discovered that the brains of people with ADHD are different from those of people without the disorder. For one thing, people with ADHD don't appear to properly use neurotransmitters, chemicals in the brain that send messages.

Also, people with ADHD appear to have less activity in the areas of the brain that are responsible for activity and attention.
Childhood Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Preschoolers and infants who are exposed to environmental toxins, such as lead, are at an increased risk for developing ADHD.
Genetics: ADHD appears to run in families. Approximately 25 percent of children with ADHD have a family member with the disorder.
Maternal Smoking, Drugs Use and Exposure to Toxins: Children who were exposed to smoke, alcohol, drugs and other toxins while in the womb are at an increased risk for developing ADHD.

ADHD Risk Factors

In addition to the possible causes of ADHD, other risk factors that put people at a higher risk for developing ADHD include:

being male
experiencing brain trauma during pregnancy or delivery
having Tourette's syndrome.

Talking to Your Doctor About ADHD

If you or your child experiences ADHD symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He will be able to determine if the symptoms are, in fact, due to ADHD, or if they are caused by another condition.

If unidentified or left untreated, ADHD can put a person at risk for:

family problems
poor performance at work and school
problems with friends
self-image problems
social problems.

Getting a timely ADHD diagnosis is important.

ADHD Treatments

If your doctor determines that you or your loved one is suffering from ADHD, he will discuss treatment options with you. While many doctors support the use of psychostimulant for ADHD, counseling, special accommodations in the classroom (if applicable) and support of family and friends are also key parts of ADHD treatment.

Resources

Mayo Clinic Staff (2007). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved on Aug. 15, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275.

Neubauer, David N. (2006). ADHD Overview. Retrieved Aug. 15, 2007, from the Health A to Z Web site: http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/
transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/neur/
adhd/adhd_gen_ovw.jsp.