MedicationDiana Collins, M.D. Understandably, one of the first questions parents often ask when they learn their child has an attention deficit disorder is "Why? What went wrong?" As a health professional, it is important to emphasize that there is not a known definitive cause of ADHD. It is crucial for parents to not look backward to search for blame or possible reasons. There are many factors that are responsible for the etiology of ADHD, and it is impossible to nail this down with certainty to one cause. It is far more important for the family to move forward in finding ways to get right assistance for their children. Currently, as scientists, medical doctors and mental health professionals, we are finding more and more evidence that ADHD does not stem from the home environment, but from biological causes. It is important to emphasize that a chaotic or dysfunctional home environment does not lead to ADHD. And not all children with ADHD come from a dysfunctional family environment. Parents need to understand that this knowledge can relieve them of unnecessary guilt for their child's behavior. There are several incorrect theories regarding the etiology of ADHD. One of these worth mentioning is that all attention deficit disorders and learning difficulties are caused by minor head injuries or undetectable damage to the brain, perhaps from early infection or birth complications. Although certain types of head injury can explain some of the cases of attention disorder, this theory has been rejected because it could only explain a small number of cases. Not everyone with a learning disorder or ADHD has a history of head trauma or birth complications. Another misconstrued theory involves the intake of refined sugar and food additives as a theory to explain hyperactive children. Many parents subsequently have been restricting their children from artificial flavoring, sugars, and preservatives. This theory was shown to not "hold water" after a study in 1982 by the National Institutes of Health. Through biomedical research they illustrated that restricted diets only helped 5% of children with ADHD to diminish their symptoms. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that ADHD is not usually caused by the following:
As mental health professionals, we are finding that with careful research and new tools for study of the brain (such as imaging studies like PET or Positron Emission Tomography), that ADHD involves subtle changes in brain chemistry and metabolism. Also, through research we are able to find evidence that substances such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, as well as exposure to some toxins may lead to syndromes associated with ADHD. Other research has confirmed that ADHD does tend to run in families. Children with ADHD usually have at least one close relative who has ADHD. At least one-third of all fathers who’ve had ADHD in childhood will raise children with ADHD. More research is underway at this time to understand the complex etiology of ADHD. Understanding the causes will help us with treatment and assist families in moving forward to help their children succeed academically and emotionally. Diana Collins, M.D., Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Certified in General Psychiatry, clinical Associate Professor Psychiatry--University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
The Medication Corner, provided by the Tarnow Center for Self-Management, will be a featured article in each of the ADDA Newsletters. The article will provide you with the latest information and research about the medications which are being used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. Mary Jo Taft, M.D. and Jay Tarnow, M.D. will keep you abreast of all the latest happenings in the medical community. In order for us to address your needs,, we would like to encourage you to "ask the professionals" your questions. Write the Tarnow Center for Self-Management with your questions and we will see that they are answered in each edition of the newsletter. You may contact us at: Tarnow Center for Self-Management: The Medication Corner, 1001 West Loop South #215, Houston, Texas 77027, or fax: (713)621-7015, or call: (713)621-9515. Visit the Tarnow Center web site. Become a member to receive our newsletter.
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