Why Does It Seem That There Are More Children With ADHD Than Ever Before?

ADHD Symptoms Resulting From Drug Use, Cigarette Smoking, and Alcohol Use

Even though the percentage of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is likely the same as in the past, about 5% to 7% of the population, there are reasons why it seems that "there is more ADHD" than ever before:

• You are more aware of problems like ADHD as a parent than you were as a child. You have grown up now and you are more concerned about these issues since you have your own children.
• The news and entertainment media have talked about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a lot more than in the past, raising your awareness level.
• A recent study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse reported the following:

5.5% of women REPORTED using illicit drugs while they were pregnant;

18.8% REPORTED using alcohol,

20.4% REPORTED using tobacco while pregnant.

Children who were Drug Exposed in utero, or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children, have many of the same problems as children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and are often misdiagnosed by physicians as being ADD ADHD.

In our rural area of California it is estimated that 10% of all children born in our county were exposed to drugs or alcohol by their mothers during pregnancy.

There are no known "safe levels" of drug, alcohol, or tobacco use while pregnant. The use of drugs or alcohol are especially dangerous to the developing baby and can often cause neurological problems.

When these children enter school, they often display problems with attention, impulse control, temper, learning, and behavior. They are often misdiagnosed as having a genetically based Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

However, rather than having a genetically based Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) what they really suffer from are structural head injuries due to their mother's past behaviors.

There are also increased risks of these neurological problems from chemical toxins, mercury poisoning, and other environmental toxins.