A Description of Causes of ADD

According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), as much as 6 percent of the population in the United States has attention deficit disorder. Attention deficit disorder, also known as ADD, is usually a catch-all term applied to the many types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This disorder is characterized by distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Alhough researchers don't know the exact cause for the symptoms of ADD, they do theorize that heredity, environment and drug exposure may play a role in the development of the disorder.

Heredity

• ADD is likely to be inherited. The ADDA estimates that if a person has ADD, there is a 25 to 35 percent chance that they have a family member who has the condition as well. Scientists have identified several genes that contribute to the disorder. These genes may contribute to altered brain structure or functioning in people diagnosed with ADHD. Future research in the role genetics plays in attention deficit disorder may result in better, more effective treatments.

Environment

• Environmental toxins such as lead may cause ADD and other problems such as violent behavior in children, according to the Mayo Clinic. Lead exposure is primarily limited to children living in older homes. These homes may contain lead in the paint and piping. In children, most lead poisoning can be attributed to consumption of chips from lead paint. Signs of lead exposure in children include weight loss, irritability, constipation and learning problems.

Drugs

• In-utero exposure to alcohol, cigarettes and drugs may also explain ADD. According to the Mayo Clinic, drug and alcohol abuse may damage a child's brain by impairing the nerve cells' responsible for creating neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals responsible for relaying messages between nerve cells and the brain.

Myths Regarding the Cause of ADD

• Over the years, a series of myths have arisen about the root cause of ADD. These myths have often left parents blaming themselves. Poor parenting, however, is not to blame for ADD, according to ADDA. Ineffective teachers and the attendance at poor schools are also not to blame. Researchers have also ruled out the consumption of excess sugar and excessive television watching as a contributor to ADD. Some debate, however, still exists on whether food additives such as food preservatives and artificial colors cause Attention Deficit Disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a possible link exists between increased hyperactivity in people with ADD and food additives.