What causes ADD/ADHD?
The causes of ADD/ADHD remain relatively unknown. However, researchers have discovered that the biological factors are major contributors to the disorder. ADD/ADHD tends to run in families, thereby indicating a strong genetic origin. Moreover, neuroimaging research shows that brains of individuals with ADD/ADHD differ fairly consistently from those without the disorder. The brain areas that control attention (i.e., pre-frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum) have been found to be slightly smaller and demonstrate less activity in individuals with ADD/ADHD. Although researchers have been unable to pinpoint the exact genetic or biological origins of ADD/ADHD, they have been able to rule out most environmental causes. ADD/ADHD is NOT caused by poor parenting, family problems, ineffective teachers or schools, or food allergies, though environmental factors can interact with an individual’s genetic/biological propensity to develop the disorder.
