Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [1] (ADHD) has become one of the most common childhood disorders that persist into adulthood, affecting about four percent of adults in the U.S. Many theories have been proposed over the years as to the causes of this disorder. Some have been rejected, while others require more research to be done.
Below are five of the most common theories about causes of ADHD:
1. Genetics
Too often people dismiss ADHD as the result of a poor diet high in sugar or bad parenting. Research has identified certain genetic abnormalities to be the cause of ADHD. It has been shown that the brains of children with ADHD develop differently from other children.
A study published in The Lancet reported that scientists at Cardiff University in Wales found children with ADHD more likely to have some small segments of their DNA either missing or duplicated.1
According to the study, it identified significant overlap between these segments, known as copy number variants (CNVs) and genetic variants implicated in autism [2] and schizophrenia, thus demonstrating supporting evidence that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
2. Pesticides food [3] (commercially grown fruit and vegetables), drinking water, and residential pesticide use. There are approximately 40 organophosphate pesticides registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
pregnancy [4] can lead to ADHD.3 Complications that have been identified include high blood pressure during pregnancy, bleeding before the birth, extended pregnancy beyond the due date, long delivery time, and any complications affecting the baby’s oxygen supply during birthAlthough U.S. governmental regulations have substantially reduced environmental exposure to lead by regulating automobile fuel and paint ingredients, children may continue to be exposed if they live in older homes and apartments, which contain older plumbing fixtures as well as lead-based paint still on walls and woodwork.
Lead is found in a variety of things ranging from children’s jewelry and toys to certain foods, food containers, and certain cosmetics. Research suggests that chronic long-term low level exposure to lead is a cause of ADHD.6
The researchers discovered that children diagnosed with hyperactive and impulsive symptoms had slightly higher levels of lead in their blood compared with children who did not demonstrate these behaviors.
ADHD Is My Super Power and It Comes with Great Super Strength
by Alana Moore [5]
[6]
PSN Link: https://amzn.to/3j11p5L [6]
Sources:
- First direct evidence that ADHD is a genetic disorder: Children with ADHD more likely to have missing or duplicated segments of DNA [7]. ScienceDaily. 2010.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides [8]. Pediatrics. 2010.
- ADHD and Pregnancy [9]. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2014.
- Prenatal nicotine exposure during pregnancy results in adverse neurodevelopmental alterations and neurobehavioral deficits [10]. Advances in Drug and Alcohol Research. 2023.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome [11]. MayoClinic. 2024.
- Annual Reserach Review: Perspectives on progress in ADHD science – from characterization to cause [12]. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2022.
Helpful Articles
- Understanding the Mental Skills Affected by ADD and ADHD (Part 1) [13]
- Understanding the Mental Skills Affected by ADD and ADHD (Part 2) [14]
- ADHD 101 Educational Techniques for ADHD: Bracketing Distracting Thoughts [15]
- Managing Time for Adults with ADHD [16]
- Embracing Your Child’s Best Ways of Learning 12 Different Ways to Learn [17]
- Using Yoga to Benefit Individuals with ADHD [18]
- What Is Emotional Intelligence and Why Is It so Important? [19]
- Anxiety in Children and Adolescents [20]
- Omega Fatty Acids’ Super Healthy Super Powers to Aid A Child [21]
- My New Motherhood [22]