ADHD Causes and Treatment

Your child has just been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, now what? Everyone you talk to has an opinion as to the cause: “it’s caused from bad parenting,” “eating too much sugar or food coloring,” “too much screen time,” or “they are just lazy or stupid.” All of these are myths.

ADHD is a real medical disorder recognized by medical, psychological, and educational organizations and is a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-5).  ADHD is a biological imbalance in neurotransmitters. Most people diagnosed with ADHD have average or above average intelligence and are often high achievers.

While specific causes have not yet been identified, there is growing evidence to suggest that genetics contribute; it runs in families. Some non-genetic factors include: low birth weight, premature birth, complications during birth, exposure to toxins during pregnancy (alcohol, smoking, lead, etc.), and extreme stress during pregnancy.

ADHD Treatment

There are many options available to treat ADHD. After age 6, ADHD medication along with behavioral therapy and/or exercise is the preferred treatment plan.

In order to understand ADHD medication, it is important to understand how the brain works. The billions of nerve cells, called neurons, that make up the brain are organized into regions that are connected to each other. The brain stem connects the spinal cord to the brain and is responsible for most automatic functions. The limbic system is associated with emotions and forming/maintaining memories. The exterior area of the brain is called the cortex and is arranged into regions that have different functions such as the occipital lobe at the back of the brain is associated with vision. The corpus callosum divides the brain into the left and right hemispheres. The left hemisphere is the logical, analytical area working with facts and thinking in words. The right hemisphere is associated with creativity, the arts, visualization of things, visual concepts, intuition, and imagination. All the different regions of the brain are interconnected with billions of neurons.

Neurons talk to each other using chemical and electrical signals. Messages travel down the neurons as electrical signals until they reach the gap between the neurons when the message is transferred into a chemical signal which crosses the gap called a synapse. The chemical signal can relay the message on or can quiet the message. This happens over and over. The chemical released from a neuron that crosses the synapse is called a neurotransmitter (dopamine and norepinephrine). It excites or inhibits the target neuron. Dopamine strengthens signals to the brain and filters external stimuli so you can pay attention. Norepinephrine improves alertness and clarity of the brain’s processes.

ADHD medication increases the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which improves symptoms by increasing attention span, reducing hyperactivity, controlling impulsive behavior, or managing executive dysfunction.  Executive dysfunction is a common symptom of ADHD that happens with conditions that disrupt your brain’s ability to control thoughts, emotions and behavior.

Three Lifestyle Changes that Improve ADHD

Exercise:

• Try aerobic activity such as riding a bike, jogging, swimming, or a sport that involves running or sprinting elevates neurotransmitters.

• Pursue skill activities such as rock climbing, yoga, Pilates, gymnastics, martial arts, and figure skating strengthen and expand the brain’s networks. The more complex the movement, the more complex the synaptic connections.

• Do an activity that combines both aerobic with a skill activity like tennis as it builds both the brain and cardiovascular system.

Healthy Diet:

• Well balanced diet (1/2 of plate filled with fruits and vegetables, ¼ with a protein, and ¼ with a complex carbohydrate)

• Eat cleaner (fewer processed foods, no refined sugar and little to no artificial dyes, artificial flavors, and preservatives)

• Consume ½ your body weight in ounces per day in water

• Avoid sodas and juices that contain high levels of sugar and artificial additives

• Avoid too much caffeine or alcohol, which can cause dehydration and decreased focus

• Eat a nutrient-dense breakfast, which is important for those taking ADHD medication and find that medication suppresses their appetite later in the day

Sleep:

• Develop good sleep hygiene

• Stick to a sleep schedule

• Get the recommended hours of sleep

  • • Ages 3-5: 10-13 hours per 24 hours including naps

    • Ages 6 – 12: 9-12 hours

    • Ages 13-18: 8 – 10 hours

    • Adults: 7-9 hours

• Avoid caffeine late in the day

• Limit daytime naps

• Get some physical activity during the day

• Create a restful environment and routine:

  • • A dark and quiet room

    • Avoid light-emitting screens

    • Turn off screens at least 1 hour prior to sleep

    • Do calming activities before bedtime

• Try some stress management techniques

ADHD and Executive Functioning

Strategies That Support Students with ADHDin the Classroom