| There are many theories regarding the causes ADD | | | | have shown that children with the disorder commonly |
| also known as attention deficit disorder or ADHD | | | | have sections of their brain that are underdeveloped |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Many studies | | | | for their age in the areas that control attention and |
| have been conducted to uncover the cause of these | | | | impulsiveness which are two of the major symptoms |
| disorders which affect approximately 2 million school | | | | of ADD. |
| age children in America alone. Some great | | | | Studies have also shown that parents who have ADD |
| breakthroughs have been made that help explain the | | | | or had it as a child are more likely to have children with |
| disorder but only one thing is known for sure about the | | | | the disorder. Children who have a sibling with ADD are |
| cause, and that is a definitive cause is still unknown. | | | | also three times more likely to have ADD as children |
| There is no diagnostic test for ADD or ADHD. It is a | | | | without it in their family. These findings support the |
| clinical diagnosis made by looking at frequent | | | | theory that ADD is caused by genetics and |
| symptoms and behaviors experienced by a child and | | | | neurological differences. |
| ruling out any other disorder or disease that may | | | | Environmental components such as food, tobacco and |
| cause the same behaviors and symptoms. | | | | alcohol use during pregnancy, and parenting are |
| Most doctors agree that the disorder is probably | | | | sometimes though to have an affect on ADD. Studies |
| caused by a combination of components including | | | | have not found a definitive link between any of these |
| genetic and neurological components. Some people | | | | components and the disorder although some food |
| believe environmental components also contribute to | | | | additives such as red dye seem to make ADD |
| ADD and although proof that environmental | | | | symptoms worse and some supplements such as |
| components cause the disorder have not been found | | | | Omega 3 acids seem to make symptoms better. |
| they have been shown to have an impact on the | | | | Sugar, once though to be a major cause of |
| severity of symptoms. | | | | hyperactivity, has been proven not to have an impact |
| The components that seem to play the biggest role in | | | | on ADD symptoms at all. |
| causing ADD are genetic and neurological. Studies | | | | |