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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a specific expression of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurological condition which, according to estimates by the National Institute of Mental Health, affects between 3% to 5% of all children. ADD causes various problems, usually relating to the ability to concentrate.

While ADD may be the most widely-known and common term for this type of ADHD, the official medical name is ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive.

ADD Symptoms

Children with ADD tend to have problems paying attention in class and are easily distracted. Many times, this manifests as difficulties reading or completing simple tasks. ADD also contributes to hyperactivity in children, causing difficulty being quiet or staying seated.

ADD symptoms in adults can be more complicated. Along with a tendency toward being easily distracted, adults often suffer from depression, which can lead to low self-esteem, workplace problems, and difficulty with relationships. In extreme cases, this can lead to substance abuse or anger issues.

ADD Causes

The scientific community is unsure what exactly causes ADD. Most research focuses on the brain, with experts agreeing that a neurotransmitter imbalance likely causes it. This imbalance can, in turn, be created by various factors. Trauma to the brain is one suggestion, whether physical or chemical. Reports exist of head injuries creating ADD symptoms in children.

Other possibilities include exposure to certain toxins during childhood, when the brain is developing. Studies have been performed that point toward chemical food dyes as culprits. ADD tends to run in families, which suggests that inheriting traits of attention deficit disorder is a possibility. While researchers may be unable to pinpoint exact ADD causes, they have been able to develop several ways of treating the condition.

Jordan Wells

Jordan Wells

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