What are the root causes of ADHD?

The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role.
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Causes of ADHD
  • Brain injury.
  • Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.
  • Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy.
  • Premature delivery.
  • Low birth weight.

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Are you born with ADHD or developed?

ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.

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Does ADHD come from mother or father?

Simply put, people with ADHD have areas of the brain that function differently. The disorder begins in childhood, but somewhere between 30 to 70 percent of sons will also be fathers with ADHD. A number of published studies show a clear link to genetics, but it is not 100 percent conclusive.

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Is ADHD passed on by the mother?

ADHD more common in offspring of mothers with genetic serotonin deficiencies. Summary: Children whose mothers are genetically predisposed to have impaired production of serotonin appear more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder later in life, according to a new report.

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What causes ADHD psychologically?

Adverse social and family environments such as low parental education, social class, poverty, bullying/peer victimisation, negative parenting, maltreatment and family discord are associated with ADHD.

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What are the causes of ADHD? Dr Stephen Humphries, Consultant Psychiatrist

19 related questions found

Can trauma cause ADHD?

Trauma and traumatic stress, according to a growing body of research, are closely associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). Trauma and adversity can alter the brain's architecture, especially in children, which may partly explain their link to the development of ADHD.

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Can ADHD go away?

Many children (perhaps as many as half) will outgrow their symptoms but others do not, so ADHD can affect a person into adulthood.

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Is ADHD a chemical imbalance?

What is the cause or basis of ADHD? It is an impulse disorder with genetic components that results from imbalances of neurotransmitters.

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Is ADHD genetic or from trauma?

More than 20 genetic studies have shown evidence that ADHD is strongly inherited. Yet ADHD is a complex disorder, which is the result of multiple genetic interactions. Previously, scientists believed that maternal stress and smoking during pregnancy could increase the risk of a child developing ADHD.

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Is ADHD a mental illness?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children.

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Which parent is more likely to pass down ADHD?

Greatest heredity from mother

Absolutely most at risk were sons with parents who were both diagnosed with ADHD: - 40 percent of these boys are themselves diagnosed with the condition, says Solberg.

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How likely is ADHD if both parents have it?

According to recent research, that may be the case. While the exact causes of ADHD have not been identified, genetic studies show there is a strong hereditary component, with an up to a 91 percent likelihood of passing the disorder to your children.

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How do you discipline a child with ADHD?

1 These discipline strategies can be instrumental in helping a child with challenging behaviors to follow the rules.
  1. Provide Positive Attention. ...
  2. Give Effective Instructions. ...
  3. Praise Your Child's Effort. ...
  4. Use Time-Out When Necessary. ...
  5. Ignore Mild Misbehaviors. ...
  6. Allow for Natural Consequences. ...
  7. Establish a Reward System.

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Can you treat ADHD without medication?

A well-balanced diet, exercise, and meditation are all good options for individuals looking to reduce their ADHD symptoms. However, while these natural ADHD remedies may reduce the severity of certain ADHD symptoms, they do not address the individual's underlying brain dysregulation.

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Who is more likely to develop ADHD?

Boys (13%) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls (6%). Black, non-Hispanic children and White, non-Hispanic children are more often diagnosed with ADHD (12% and 10%, respectively), than Hispanic children (8%) or Asian, non-Hispanic children (3%).

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Can ADHD get worse as you get older?

ADHD does not get worse with age if a person receives treatment for their symptoms after receiving a diagnosis. If a doctor diagnoses a person as an adult, their symptoms will begin to improve when they start their treatment plan, which could involve a combination of medication and therapy.

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Can emotional neglect cause ADHD?

Conclusions: Results suggested that ADHD cases were more commonly exposed to emotional abuse and neglect. They had significantly more dissociative experiences and reported Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms more frequently.

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What makes ADHD better?

In addition to a formal treatment plan—whether medications, therapy, or both—prioritizing adequate amounts of restful sleep, consistent exercise, mindfulness practices, and a nutritious diet can help those with ADHD reduce hyperactivity, improve focus, and even boost mood.

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Is ADHD, a traumatic brain injury?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a frequent cause for hospitalization in young children and teenagers. It's associated with developing mental conditions, including secondary ADHD, a form of ADHD that develops following an injury.

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What are ADHD people deficient in?

ADHD was the first disorder found to be the result of a deficiency of a specific neurotransmitter — in this case, norepinephrine — and the first disorder found to respond to medications to correct this underlying deficiency. Like all neurotransmitters, norepinephrine is synthesized within the brain.

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How can I increase dopamine in my ADHD naturally?

Several effective medications used to treat the symptoms of ADHD work by increasing the impact of dopamine in the body.
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You can also do the following to increase your dopamine levels:
  1. Try something new.
  2. Make a list of small tasks and complete them.
  3. Listen to music you enjoy.
  4. Exercise regularly.
  5. Try meditation or yoga.

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Why do ADHD brains lack dopamine?

If your child has ADHD, they may be low in dopamine but high in something called dopamine transporters. That's because their low dopamine may actually result from having too many of the transporters that take dopamine out of their brain cells.

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At what age does ADHD stop?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that stays with you throughout your life. Most often, it is diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 12, but it can be diagnosed at any age.

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Does caffeine help ADHD?

Answer: Using caffeine, either in a drink or in an over-the-counter preparation, is not recommended by medical experts as a treatment for ADHD. Although some studies have shown that caffeine may improve concentration in adults with ADHD, it is not as effective as medication.

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When does ADHD peak?

The symptoms may peak in severity when the child is seven to eight years of age, after which they often begin to decline. By the adolescent years, the hyperactive symptoms may be less noticeable, although ADHD can continue to be present.

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