Let’s face it. The causes of ADHD have never really been nailed down, although researches have come up with lots of theories. The one thing they are sure of is that parenting is NOT the cause, so do not blame yourself if your child has the condition. Genetic factors do seem to be partly responsible, in that if one or more members on your family tree have had it, the likelihood of one of your offspring developing ADHD will increase. Environmental factors also are believed to have a contributing factor in worsening the severity of your child’s condition.

If you are exposed to poisons and certain chemicals during pregnancy, it may increase the possibility of ADHD in your child. This condition could develop as a result of your child being exposed to these harmful materials as well. Lead has been linked to increased inattentiveness, disruptive behavior and violent hyperactivity in children.

In brain scans performed on children with ADHD, it has been shown that areas that control these types of symptoms are less active than with non-ADHD children. Smoking, drinking or taking drugs may have an adverse effect on the neurons, which produce transmitters that help control your child’s behavior.

Hyperactivity has often been thought to come from food, although that has never been proven. Still, refined sugar should be limited in the diets of children, even if you only suspect that they have this condition. While refined sugar is good in limited quantities, it’s still good to restrict it as it will have an effect on obesity and diabetes in your child.

Just to be safe, you might want to look at alternatives to canned or prepackaged foods, because they have a lot of chemical additives which could also have an effect. It has long been suspected that preservatives and artificial colors affect the health of all who use them. For some people, it has been known to cause nasty allergy symptoms as well as asthma issues. But researchers also believe that they may cause cancer and contribute to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Let’s review what we’ve learned so far. ADHD could be hereditary; it can be intensified due to environmental problems like a disruptive home life, poverty and the like. An expectant mother can contribute to the dangers by being exposed to poisons, smoking, drinking, or doing drugs before delivery. Things like brain injuries to the child, premature delivery, low birth weight – all of these could be issues. The type of diet could also be concerning especially if too much sugar, preservatives and products with artificial colorings are an issue.

Dopamine, at low levels; can be a contributor to ADHD symptoms. A neurotransmitter, this is the control factor in coordination problems, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, reasoning and alertness.These kids may have restless sleep, disturbing dreams, and difficulty falling asleep at all.

Things like obsessive video gaming, extreme parenting methods or too many hours in front of the television may be likely factors. Medical conditions, certain treatment processes, Tourette’s syndrome, and learning disabilities can also contribute to ADHD and its severity.

One good thing is that, regardless of the causes of ADHD, many children outgrow the condition by the time they reach adulthood.