Do we know the causes of ADD ADHD?
We know that our brain circuitry and functioning and neurochemistry is different.
Presumably, that comes from our genes (ADD ADHD tends to run in families, especially among males).
We have a lot of new information about epigenetics,which shows that it’s not just the genes we’re born with, but also how they’re regulated, turned on and off and when and how much. This tends to be the result of environmental factors, such as trauma and stress, for example. Such factors possibly could include diet or exposure to toxins.
One of the models for many psychiatric and medical illnesses is that a person’s genes may make them prone to have the illness, but whether or not it develops depends on their environmental experiences.
Do we know the causes of ADD ADHD?
I don’t have ADD??????????
(Notice that I said “causes” plural. I think this is probably correct.)
Well, yes and no. I think the information above is fairly accurate, but we have not yet pinned down specific genes or other specific factors, though there are some known correlations (see the links below).
Doug
Request:
Hopefully, some of you who are more scientifically astute and informed than me will make comments about this and try to correct some of my misconceptions.
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We Humans do and say things because we get something out of it either consciously or unconsciously. So what do we get out of DSM IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD? We get stress, fear and anxiety: just what our body needs to increase dopamine in the Sensory area of our
brain. We exhibit these behaviors but we do not know why. We don’t know why because it is our unconscious mind influencing our conscious behavior.
“Unconscious processing can influence our conscious decisions”. (Paller and Suzuki 2014) Northwestern University, Trends of Cognitive Science
This also answers the Riddle ” Why does giving a Stimulant medication to (what appears to be) a over-stimulated Child or Adult, Calm them down”? Answer: Because we are temporally taking over chemically what our brain was doing behaviorally.
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chet
– I like that explanation about the meds
do you have more info about what the stimulants do to people without ADD ADHD?
thank you for commenting
doug
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chet – very interesting, but a little over my head I’m afraid.
given your hypothesis, wouldn’t the resultant effects constitute ADHD?
thank you for commenting
doug
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Doug, The good news is that there is no such thing as ADHD It is a completely misunderstood problem. So-called (ADHD) is more a Cure than a Disease or Disorder. NIH and NIMH has received my Hypothesis and has not commented on it. Here it is:
ADHD: The Mirror Image Hypothesis 03/11/2014
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is not a Disorder, but only a mirror image of a Disorder. The behavior, as described by the DSM, is actually a very ordered response initiated by Primordial/Autonomic Emotion to restore Dopamine (DA) homeostasis in the sensory areas of the brain.
Abnormally low dopamine levels in the sensory areas of the brain degrades our most primitive survival capability; the fight or flight response. The autonomic nervous system (ANS), sensing a threat to survival, initiates, supports and remembers unconscious behaviors that increase dopamine levels.
Emotions that cause an increase of DA (or DA derivatives) in the sensory areas are fear and stress. Therefore, the unconscious behaviors supported by the ANS cause the individual (child or adult) to exhibit behaviors that are risky and socially unacceptable and have the appearance of a Disorder.
The real object (problem) in this Mirror Image Hypothesis is unbalanced attention. Involuntary attention (external stimuli) has overwhelmed Voluntary attention (memory recall) leaving a DA deficit in the sensory areas, which causes the homeostasis restoration process to begin.
Processing external stimuli into long term memory depletes the sensory system of DA. Memory recall replenishes DA into the system. Behavior modification techniques can be used to bring the sensory system into balance (homeostasis). Co-morbid low DA disorders would also benefit from a sensory system in homeostasis.
The universal problem we are all being subjected to is a proliferation of external stimuli in our environment. Some of our children and young adults
are having trouble adapting to this powerful demand on their attention.
Chester Germain Bush, M.S.
850-951-0444
chetbush@panhandle.rr.com
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