Causes of ADHD

There may be several different "causes of ADHD" as there are different types of ADHD. The most recent research models describing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder suggest that several areas of the brain may be affected by ADHD. These include the

• frontal lobes
• inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex
• limbic system
• reticular activating system

Each of these areas of the brain is associated with various functions, or qualities, or abilities.

What Causes ADHD

Watch this video: The CAUSES OF ADHD

From Medical News Today (used by permission) this video explores what ADHD really means, and how many children and adults may have it. What are the supposed causes and symptoms of ADHD? How is it diagnosed? Join our panel of experts as they address these questions and more.

Neurological Causes of ADHD

The frontal lobes help us to pay attention to tasks, focus concentration, make good decisions, plan ahead, learn and remember what we have learned, and behave appropriately for the situation.

The inhibitory mechanisms of the cortex keep us from being hyperactive, from saying things out of turn, and from getting mad at inappropriate times, for examples. They help us to "inhibit" our behaviors.

It has been said that 70% of the brain is there to inhibit the other 30%.

When the inhibitory mechanisms of the brain aren't working as hard as they ought to, then we can see results of what are sometimes called "dis-inhibition disorders" such as impulsive behaviors, quick temper, poor decision making, hyperactivity, and so on.

The limbic system is the base of our emotions and our highly vigilant look-out tower. If over-activated, a person might have wide mood swings, or quick temper outbursts. He might also be "over-aroused," quick to startle, touching everything around him, hyper-vigilant.

A normally functioning limbic system would provide for normal emotional changes, normal levels of energy, normal sleep routines, and normal levels of coping with stress. A dysfunctional limbic system results in problems with those areas.

Different Types of ADHD and Causes

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder might affect one, two, or all three of these areas, resulting in several different "styles" or "profiles" of children (and adults) with ADD ADHD.

Daniel Amen, a medical doctor using SPECT scans, has identified six different types of ADHD, each with its own set of problems, and each different from the other "types."

Dr. Amen is a scientist, but we are story-tellers.

In our office we also described different "types" of ADHD, but instead of using advanced SPECT technology, we used Winnie the Pooh stories to describe the different types.

• Pooh is inattentive, with his head in the clouds
• Tigger is hyperactive, and "bouncy"
• Eeyore is depressed, as are about 25% of children with ADHD
• Piglet is anxious and easily startled
• Rabbit is rigid and inflexible, and wants his way

Here provide more detail on the Neurology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD ADHD.