The Causes of ADD/ADHD

Understanding mental disorders like ADD/ADHD can be difficult. The average layman is probably challenged enough just grasping what is this mysterious disorder that triggers such manic behaviors in people. It's probably just human nature that when we're faced with this type of disorder in our children we want to fully understand what it is and get to the root causes of it. We may inwardly blame ourselves and feel that we had something to do with it, but the truth is that there may be many ADD/ADHD causes, and more than likely most are not the direct result of parenting skills.

Genetics:

One of the primary culprits of ADD is genetics. Historically, it has been passed down from one generation to the next. Quite likely, if your child has been diagnosed, odds are that someone else in your family (perhaps even you yourself) also had it. Since the disorder was not recognized in previous generations, chances are previous relatives were classified as problem children in school or mislabeled in some other way.

Diet:

Another one of the ADD/ADHD causes could be the type of diet your child has. Much of the food we consume every day has changed over the years. Foods now contain many more additives and sugars than before, which could be manifested in the erratic behavior of many children.

There are studies that show that a diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids are linked to symptoms of ADHD. Our brains need these fatty acids for proper development and function.

The Environment:

A link has also been found between ADD/ADHD and external factors like maternal smoking and excessive exposure to lead. Even though lead paint is no longer being used in buildings, children who live in older buildings can quite likely be exposed to lead and other materials that may contain lead in their plumbing.

Brain Injury:

Some types of brain injury may also cause the disorder, which could be the result of a physical injury or even a minor episode during birth. The injury does not necessarily have to be severe, but if it affects the right place in the frontal lobe, it can trigger ADD/ADHD symptoms in previously unaffected people.

There are many different ADD/ADHD causes that may not as of yet have been discovered. As research continues to study this disorder, a deeper understanding of it will emerge. The brain is one of the most complicated organs we have to discover and continuous study will be needed in order to fully grasp exactly how it works and what truly affects it.

If you're a parent with a child who has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD it is important that you work closely with a medical professional to learn how to cope with it and what methods you can take to control or even reverse it. As we learn more about it, the evidence shows that a mental disorder like ADD does not necessarily mean that it is a permanent condition or one that cannot be controlled under the right conditions. With professional help to guide you there is no reason why you can't find a way to deal with the many challenges that it can cause.