What is ADD?

ADD is what is classified as a neurobiological disorder caused by problems in the dopamine neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Most cases of ADD are inherited. If a parent or close blood relative has ADD then there is a 30% chance that a child will have ADD. 

In studies of twins it is shown that if one twin has ADD there is a 50% chance that the other twin will also have ADD. ADD is not caused by poor nutrition as it was once believed. It is also not caused by bad parenting, drugs or allergies.Other medical conditions may cause symptoms similar to ADD such as severe head trauma, thyroid problems, foetal alcohol syndrome and lead intoxication, so it is important to do a thorough analysis in order to determine if the person has ADD and not one of these other problems. 

What happens with ADD? is that when a person does not get adequate neuro-chemicals, or in other words, the brain is not being properly stimulated, it tries to find ways to increase their release.

Things such as movement, physical activity, focusing on things that are stimulating or doing anything that causes stimulation are various ways that people with ADD stimulate their brains. In a sense this is more a reflex to their not getting the proper neuro-chemicals and not so much a conscious act, which is the reason that people with ADD act in this way and really can't control their actions.

The problems this action causes is that people with ADD, when confronted with a situation that doesn't stimulate them, such as school work, then focus their attention on something that does stimulate them. 

Obviously when this happens the school work is not attended to and this results in poor performance in the classroom. An associate of mine related a story of this to me, about a child who would get up in the middle of the class, stand on his desk and start telling jokes. 

At first it was thought that he was just trying to be funny and disrupt the class. As it turned out he actually had ADD and couldn't help himself. This occurred during a time when people really didn't understand this disease.

 Other problems associated with people who have ADD is that they have difficulty with personal relationships and staying employed. Also people with ADD may do things to stimulate themselves that are actually reckless and dangerous and thus may further complicate their lives with legal problems.

ADHD is a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for the child's age and development.

Symptoms

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) divides the symptoms of ADHD into those of inattentiveness and those of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, children should have at least 6 attention symptoms or 6 activity and impulsivity symptoms -- to a degree beyond what would be expected for children their age.

The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months, observable in 2 or more settings, and not caused by another problem. The symptoms must be severe enough to cause significant difficulties. Some symptoms must be present before age 7.

Older children have ADHD in partial remission when they still have symptoms but no longer meet the full definition of the disorder.

Some children with ADHD primarily have the Inattentive Type, some the Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, and some the Combined Type. Those with the Inattentive type are less disruptive and are easier to miss being diagnosed with ADHD.