Are There Other Causes of ADHD?

Many people wonder about the causes.  The overwhelming majority of cases are probably genetic. But what about other things that might contribute to ADHD?

Isn't it Bad Parenting? Not really.  Bad parenting makes it worse, and impulsive parents with impulsive children are not a good combination.  And parents who improve their parenting skills find it easier to manage, but ADHD doesn't go away with improved parenting.

What about Diet or Food Allergies?

Diet and food allergies appear to play a minimal role in ADHD. There may be a few people whose ADHD symptoms are caused by or  are worse with certain foods. This is important for a few people, but generally diet and additives don't play a very important role.

What about Sugar? A study to discover if parents could tell the difference if their children were on sugar proved that most parents couldn't tell. What it did demonstrate is that parents who thought their children had taken sugar reported that they were more hyperactive...even if the children hadn't really had more sugar.

I've heard about Sleep Problems Associated with ADHD. This may be an important consideration to rule out.  Snoring, and sleep apnea (momentarily stopping breathing that causes the person to wake up, and thus not rest well) might be important clues. However, people with ADHD generally don't fall asleep easily.

What about Mineral Deficiencies?  There has been some implication in magnesium deficiency at the research level, but the practical significance is not well known at present.  A good multivitamin is definitely a good idea for anyone, but is recommended highly for those with ADHD.

Can You Get ADHD if You Aren't Born With It?  Yes you can.  The biggest cause is head trauma.  Any accident that impacts the head may cause some problems. A concussion may not be necessary. Bike, blading, boarding and car accidents are big culprits, but doing "headers" in soccer may also contribute to attention problems.

There may also be some infections or virus implicated in ADHD as well.  Many children with ADHD have had multiple ear infections.  The exact connection is unknown, but the evidence is strong that there may be some link.

Thus anything that causes brain trauma, whether a lack of oxygen surrounding the birth process or injury to the brain by accident, may create "acquired ADHD."