| The general idea out there is that ADD and ADHD | | | | of the brain. This is the part that does the |
| are caused by social problems. Very often, people | | | | planning that we need to do. The frontal lobe tells |
| hear their family members or neighbors telling | | | | you to pay attention to one thing and disregard |
| them that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | another because it's a distraction that's not |
| is caused by: video games, TV, music videos, | | | | important. It tells you to plan, it tells you how to |
| single parent families, parents who work too | | | | adapt your plan when something comes up that's |
| much, computers, inexperienced teachers, etc. | | | | difficult. It tells you to inhibit your response which |
| While many people talk about ADHD being due to | | | | helps you to stop yourself from doing something |
| many problems in society, they are not only | | | | that could get you into trouble (i.e. so you don't |
| wrong, they are actually doing a real disservice to | | | | swear at someone, even if you're angry, if it |
| people with ADHD. Research has proven that | | | | would get you into serious hot water). |
| these factors do NOT cause Attention Deficit | | | | Brain imaging studies that look at the brain |
| Hyperactivity Disorder. In fact, it is a real medical | | | | chemicals - called neurotransmitters - show that |
| condition, and as such, it is found in the body. | | | | there is a decrease in the brain chemical dopamine |
| The first place to start when talking about what | | | | in that area. Another brain chemical impacted in |
| causes ADHD symptoms is the fact that ADHD is | | | | ADHD is norepinephrine (or noradrenaline). ADHD |
| a brain disorder. All of the research going into | | | | medications work on these brain chemicals to |
| ADHD shows clearly that differences in the ADHD | | | | improve concentration, hyperactivity and |
| brain are what account for the symptoms. | | | | impulsivity. They have this effect by increasing |
| This means that we can throw out the causes of | | | | the dopamine and/or noradrenaline in different |
| ADHD which are 'social'. There is no credibility to | | | | parts of the brain. |
| these explanations. | | | | Other brain areas being researched include: The |
| Brain research in ADHD is continually improving | | | | Cerebellum, the basal ganglia, the anterior cingulate |
| and progressing. Brain imaging shows that the | | | | gyrus, etc. In other words, the next time |
| main area of the brain involved in ADHD | | | | someone tries to tell you that ADD or ADHD are |
| symptoms in the prefrontal cortex. This is in the | | | | due to some problem in society, you let them |
| frontal lobe - the part of the brain just behind the | | | | know that they are wrong - it is a real medical |
| forehead. The frontal lobe is the command center | | | | condition which resides in the brain. |