What is a known cause of ADHD?

Causes of ADHD
Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.

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Are you born with ADHD or is it caused?

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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What scientifically causes ADHD?

The exact etiology of ADHD is unknown, although neurotransmitter deficits, genetics, and perinatal complications have been implicated . . . The dopamine hypothesis has thus driven much of the recent research into the causes of ADHD.”

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Is ADHD caused by trauma?

The exposure to stressful life events, and—more specifically—Childhood Trauma, has been shown to predict ADHD onset as well as persistence of the disorder into adulthood (Biederman et al. 1995; Friedrichs et al.

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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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Causes of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

34 related questions found

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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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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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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Can you develop ADHD from abuse?

Child maltreatment has consistently been found to be associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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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 caused by brain damage?

Traumatic Brain Injury in Children Can Lead to ADHD Years Later. Researchers say it can take up to a decade for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms to show up in children after they have a serious head injury.

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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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What are the 3 main symptoms of ADHD?

ADHD, also called attention-deficit disorder, is a behavior disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood, that is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity.

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Can ADHD be caused by environment?

ADHD is a complex disorder caused by multiple factors, making it difficult to identify the exact causes. Genetic and environmental factors, and their interactions, are known to contribute to this disorder. Environmental factors include maternal smoking during pregnancy and duration of breastfeeding.

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What type of trauma causes ADHD?

Traumatic stress, apart from other factors like premature birth, environmental toxins, and genetics, is associated with risk for ADHD. The connection is likely rooted in toxic stress – the result of prolonged activation of the body's stress management system.

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Is ADHD genetic or a trauma response?

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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How trauma mimics ADHD?

In response to trauma, a child's developing brain can become programmed to “look out” for behaviour, activities or events that they perceive as threatening. This “hyper-vigilance” can often mimic hyperactivity and distractibility associated with ADHD.

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What jobs are suitable for ADHD?

Fast-paced job environments are a great fit for those living with ADHD because there is often a focus on being flexible and engaged in many different tasks.
...
Fast-paced jobs that may be a good fit if you have ADHD:
  • emergency responder (firefighter, EMT)
  • retail worker.
  • service employee.
  • journalist.
  • teacher.
  • athlete.

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How does ADHD affect empathy?

Does ADHD cause low empathy? For many people with ADHD, the world can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and difficult to navigate, Khan says. Symptoms like impulsivity and difficulty focusing on tasks can make it harder to understand and process your own feelings, let alone try to appreciate what others experience.

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Can ADHD be caused by stress?

There is no medical research that has proven that stress and anxiety can trigger ADHD. Anyone can get stress and anxiety, including individuals with ADHD. Therefore, ADHD is not a stress or anxiety disorder.

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Which sibling is most likely to have ADHD?

Firstborn children may be at a higher risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if younger siblings are born during the developmental stage of ADHD, according to research published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.

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Can people with ADHD be good parents?

Having ADHD doesn't make you a bad mother! On the contrary, having ADHD gives you the ability to empathize with your children, come up with creative solutions for problems, and create a loving, nurturing and exciting home for you and your family. Learn to appreciate the gifts and minimize the weaknesses of ADHD.

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Can a mother pass ADHD to your child?

Studies show that if you have ADHD, your children have about a 35% chance of acquiring it; if a child has it, there is a 50% likelihood that one of his or her parents does as well.

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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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Can you get a brain scan for ADHD?

Brain MRI is a new and experimental tool in the world of ADHD research. Though brain scans cannot yet reliably diagnose ADHD, some scientists are using them to identify environmental and prenatal factors that affect symptoms, and to better understand how stimulant medications trigger symptom control vs. side effects.

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