What is ADHD caused by?

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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Is ADHD a mental illness or coping mechanism?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).
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Is ADHD developed or are you born with it?

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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Is ADHD caused by trauma?

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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What are the 3 main symptoms of ADHD?

The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:
  • Inattention: Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention) Difficulty listening to others. ...
  • Impulsivity: Often interrupts others. ...
  • Hyperactivity: Seems to be in constant motion; runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion.
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What are the causes of ADHD? Dr Stephen Humphries, Consultant Psychiatrist



Does 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 is typical ADHD Behaviour?

restlessness and edginess. difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn. blurting out responses and often interrupting others. mood swings, irritability and a quick temper.
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What makes ADHD better?

Standard treatments for ADHD in adults typically involve medication, education, skills training and psychological counseling. A combination of these is often the most effective treatment. These treatments can help manage many symptoms of ADHD , but they don't cure it.
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What age is ADHD diagnosed?

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school. Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.
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Can ADHD be triggered by stress?

A growing body of research links ADHD onset and severity to psychosocial and neurocognitive factors, such as the experience of stressful life events and memory processes.
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Which parent passes down ADHD?

Thayer's study shows that the ADHD group of children had larger and more frequent variations. Fathers with ADHD will pass this code discrepancy to offspring. Barkley explains that the heritability of ADHD runs around 80 percent. Genetics account for 80 percent of the components that define ADHD.
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How do they test for ADHD?

There is no single test used to diagnose ADHD. Experts diagnose ADHD when symptoms impact a person's ability to function and they've shown some or all of the symptoms on a regular basis for more than 6 months and in more than one setting.
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Is ADHD considered a disability in the UK?

ADHD is considered a disability in the UK and therefore your school / college or place of work must make “reasonable adjustments” to support you.
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What mental illnesses are linked to ADHD?

ADHD often occurs with other disorders. Many children with ADHD have other disorders as well as ADHD, such as behavior or conduct problems, learning disorders, anxiety and depression1,2.
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Is a child with ADHD considered special needs?

Regardless of how well he or she performs in school, a student who has trouble concentrating, reading, thinking, organizing or prioritizing projects, among other important tasks, because of ADHD may have a disability and be protected under Section 504.
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What mental disorder does ADHD fall under?

Despite being classified as a neurodevelopmental mental health condition, most experts and doctors are moving towards an understanding of ADHD as a strictly neurodevelopmental condition. Having ADHD does not automatically mean you have poor mental health.
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What are 4 indicators that a child might have ADHD?

ADHD in children may present through symptoms including inattentiveness, impulsivity, hyperactivity, fidgeting, excessive talking, trouble waiting turn, and difficulty following direction.
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What is the most effective treatment for ADHD?

Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications. Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications.
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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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What foods help ADHD?

Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — can have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms. Protein-rich foods are used by the body to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other.
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How serious is ADHD?

Individuals with ADHD can be very successful in life. However, without identification and proper treatment, ADHD may have serious consequences, including school failure, family stress and disruption, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, delinquency, accidental injuries and job failure.
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How can I fix ADHD without medication?

Some of the more common ADHD medication alternatives include:
  1. Supplements.
  2. Therapy.
  3. EEG biofeedback.
  4. Calming techniques.
  5. Maintaining healthy sleep habits.
  6. Paying attention to your diet.
  7. Getting enough exercise.
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What are obvious signs of ADHD?

Inattentive symptoms of adult ADHD
  • Lack of attention to details. ...
  • Difficulty staying on task. ...
  • Trouble listening. ...
  • Lack of follow-through. ...
  • Disorganization. ...
  • Procrastination. ...
  • Loses things often. ...
  • Easily distracted.
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How do you discipline an ADHD child?

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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How do you deal with ADHD meltdowns?

Managing an ADHD Meltdown
  1. Agree on a plan. Before going to the grocery store or the video-game parlor, ask your child with ADHD what would calm him down if he gets upset. ...
  2. Acknowledge her anguish. ...
  3. Set the bar. ...
  4. Snuff out the emotion. ...
  5. Get punchy. ...
  6. Press the right button. ...
  7. Ask for help.
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