User:OlgaKrukova/Causes of ADHD

What are the Causes of children's ADHD?

Summary
First, in the paper a Children's attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADHD) term will be given along with supportive scientific information of conducted researches in this study. Secondly and mainly, the work will be based on the discussion of actual causes of the disorder and how to prevent the development of these symptoms. Finally, in the conclusion, suggestions will be given on how to effectively treat individuals affected by hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder.

Introduction
Children’s attention deficient and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental condition characterized by excessive impulsiveness, inattention or inability to concentrate on details, and hyperactivity. Also, kids with ADHD are
 * easily distracted
 * impatient in taking own turns
 * have difficulties following instructions or directions
 * low self-monitors
 * * talkative
 * * having no sense of when and what to say
 * * urge to interrupt others in ongoing conversation

Unfortunately, despite some assumptions, these symptoms can be carried over with age in a form of learning disabilities. ADHD affects nearly all parents and teachers, but only those parents who have raised a child with ADHD can truly understand all aspects and hardship associated with this behavior. Per one of the statistics, the scientists concluded that up to 60% of children in the U.S. will carry this disorder into their adulthood. The number of the affected individuals is approaching to 8 million people or 4% of a total the U.S. adult population. Therefore, by searching for explanations of this disorder people tend to ask one of the most important questions: “What are the actual causes of ADHD?”

Causes of ADHD
Even though we live in era of great scientific achievements in biology and medicine, the study of human brain functionality still carries many uncertainties and requires further in-deep research. However, based on existing facts and observations of children’s psychological development, scientists highlight several criteria causing ADHD. So, central nervous system injury, stress or emotional disorder, poor nutrition, and genetics can lead to development of this syndrome.

Central Nervous System Injury
Hyperactivity in children develops due to a brain cells defection. The first factors of ADHD were discovered by a British pediatrician in 1902. He examined 20 kids, “who were "passionate," obstinant and unable to control their impulses” and suggested that “brain injury might be the key.” In reference to this and other studies in this field, scientists discovered that deflection of normal brain functionality may occur during one of the following reasons: A degree of child hyperactivity completely depends on a location of the affected part of a brain, its size, and length of a birth delivery. Parents absolutely shouldn’t blame themselves in occurrence of this syndrome, as the formation of a baby embryo in mother’s womb or damage of the brain tissues during labor and delivery happen beyond parental control. However, there is one thing that parents can prevent. They should ultimately control and keep their infants and toddlers in safe environment to minimize any head injuries at an early age. Today, it is still considered as a relatively new study, and, therefore, the scientists can only hypothetically assume the correlation between children’s hyperactivity and injury of central nervous system.
 * abnormal prenatal development
 * premature delivery
 * head injury

Stress or emotional disorder
Another cause of children’s ADHD in early childhood may develop due to social emotional factors and environmental risks. Unlike adults, who are by nature more resistant to stress and anxiety, children tend to be in a higher group of risk in developing neurological disorders. Hence, emotional harmony, safe and comforting home atmosphere is critical in the age of infancy and early childhood when the central neurological system is developing and stabilizing. Consequently, mental traumas such as: will affect brain chemistry and stimulate excessive production of a central neural system hormone, dopamine. The main function of dopamine defines as neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate movement and emotions and act as a neutralizer in stressful situations. Thus, excessive ejections of this neurohormone will cause over sensitive reactions to stress, insecurity, and danger and reduce children’s ability to control self emotions. In addition, some researchers suggest that wrong parental behavior, inconsistency of enforcing rules, and poor parent-child interaction also play a role in development of light forms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.
 * parental divorce
 * abuse
 * peer-group influences
 * neglect
 * rejection

Poor nutrition
Unhealthy food and lack of nutrition are the other components that may lead to hyperactivity. As of today, this theory still remains arguable, as there was no clear evidence detected to prove influence of dietary deficit on mental behavior. Nevertheless, per some studies, scientists found a correlation between increased hyperactivity with consumption of certain type of food. The following nutritional elements have all been linked to ADHD.” Scientists have proven that children have different levels of tolerance to food ingredients, and, therefore, have different impacts on children’s behavior. The results of their research showed that the group diagnosed with hyperactivity are more sensitive to synthetic dyes, artificial colors and food preservatives and, as a result, are more inclined to aggravation of behavior, mood, and concentration. In order to prevent development of such symptoms, parents should carefully chose their kids’ diet and provide food supplements that enhance mental concentration and stability, such as:
 * food additives
 * refined sugars
 * food sensitivities/allergies
 * fatty acid deficiencies
 * Vitamin B6
 * Magnesium
 * Omega3 fatty acids
 * Vitamin C

Genetics
Finally, hyperactivity and deficit disorder in children may develop due to genetic predisposition. Scientists propose that there is up to 70% chances that a child has ADHD if at least one of his or her biological parents has it their genes. In addition to commonly used by teachers and specialists a population-based examination of ADHD (Diagnostic and Statistical Mental Disorders Manual of symptoms checklist (DSM-IV)), the clinical genome linkage studies has been conducted to prove the heritability. The researchers suggest that a primarily cause of ADHD is a polygenic disorder which also called gene variants; the outcome of interaction between several genes rather than disorders caused by single genes defects (mutations). Polygenic disorders are less severe than mutations and chances to transmit this disease are very rare. So, in order for ADHD syndrome to appear in subsequent generations the affected individual needs to carry a range from at least 50 to several hundred genes. The gene variants are so compound and unique that today this biological transmission can be observed only in less than 1 out of 100,000 individuals.

Conclusion and suggestions
ADHD is a prevalent and complex behavioral disorder that rapidly expose among young individuals. Comparing to a few decades ago when there were only a few children in a school class with symptoms of ADHD, today this number has already doubled or tripled. So, what is causing these phenomena? “We know very little about what causes ADHD and how it develops,” says Professor Anita Thapar, Clinical Academic Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Cardiff University School of Medicine. “Indeed, children with ADHD are not always taken seriously, or given public sympathy,” Thapar continues. This is a serious syndrome that leads to learning disadvantages and behavioral disorder. While scientists have limited knowledge of brain processes during ADHD development, there will be limited treatments available. Many specialists and psychiatrists insistently advise to treat this neurobehavioral disorder with different types of medication, but parents should choose this option only as a last resort. The following suggestions will help parents and teachers naturally help a child to cope with learning and attention problems and get him or her back to normal physical and emotional conditions, no matter which reasons caused ADHD.
 * Parental patience and love
 * Daily schedule enforcement
 * Bulleted list item
 * Food and nutrition balance
 * Elimination of distracted objects (TV, color of the room, desk free of unnecessary stuff)
 * Specific education and trainings