Why do people have ADD (attention deficit disorders) or ADHD or any other disorder?

For many children it is simply a misdiagnosis for a more animated child, or a child not getting enough activity in his daily life.

however, for the ones who do truely have ADHD (i have delt with it all my life, and it has even followed me into adult hood) it is a misfire in the brain, where the brain controls impulse control, speech, and energy.

no one knows why or how it happens. when i was younger (in the 80s) there was a study trying to show that Demerol was causing this and other issues. But i do not recall if it actually got anywhere. (for my family at least it seemed to be true, as I was diagnosed with ADHD at 5 and my mom had Demerol during labor, where as my brother and sister both were NOT diagnosd with that type of disorder and mom did NOT have demerol when in labor with them)


If you could let me know what the reason for your asking is, i may be able to answer you more fully?

well I have ADD and i just would like to know what causes it.

I am not positive if anyone knows the true, 100% factual reason for it. There are theories, there are studies. but no 100% facts. Unless someone else knows of some in which case i would hope they post here for you.

For you, I would look at your local library and see about checking out a book called "putting on the brakes' it is a book that explains in depth and detail in young language what ADD/ADHD is and how you can help yourself

good luck And dont think of it as a disorder or disability. I actually LIKE having the ADHD now as an adult! it definitely has its perks!

You sound like a nice person. I am still only in middle school and i really hope that my ADD will be basically gone when i am an adult because even with my medications, i an very distracted and figity. And thank you so much for your answer and luck. hahaha

I agree. I did not like the medication but I always took it. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about your meds? perhaps they need ajusted? are you on ritalin ( Methylphenidate) it was around middle school that i had to be taken off of that and try something new because my body grew resistant to it?

talk to your parents and your doctor about how the meds arent helping and how they are making you feel. see if something can be done about it.

and dont worry. im not the norm :P most people DONT take it with them into adulthood :P

I got them doubled earlier this year but luckily i have and appointment coming up I'll have some n ew questions to ask her. I forgot what type i am taking. and yes i will talk to them. hahaha

You might try switching to Focalin; in a lot of teenagers, it works better with fewer side effects. I think you'll feel a lot better about ADHD when you graduate. You won't have to sit still for several hours a day then, and you'll be able to choose how you spend a lot of your time. Many people with ADHD can focus well if they're doing something they're interested in. The world would be a boring place without people who have ADHD, so I'm sorry it's making things hard for you right now but it will definitely get easier.

thank you

Doctors don't know what causes ADHD but it is common in children who's mother smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy or had a difficult pregnancy. It is also genetic. My mom has ADD, but, thankfully, I didn't get it. Babies with low birth weight or children who experienced a head injury have a higher risk of ADHD.

If you want more info you can go to this website:
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-causes

Hope this helps