Living with Attention Deficit Disorder Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a neurobiological disorder. Recent research shows that the symptoms of ADD are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. (Rebecca Chapman Booth) With ADD there is a flaw in the way the brain manages the neurotransmitter production, storage or flow, causing imbalances. It has been suggested that as many as 80 percent of ADD cases are the result of genetics with the remainder caused by toxins, trauma or illness introduced during pregnancy, delivery or the newborn period and not,from poor parenting, family problems, poor teachers or schools, to much TV, food allergies, or excess sugar. It is important for people to understand that ADD is a real disability that effects all aspects of a person's life, though it does not need to be handicapping. The difference in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is mostly one of terminology, which can be confusing at times. The "official" clinical diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. In turn ADHD is broken down into different subtypes: " Combined type; Predominantly Inattentive Type: and Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulse Type". (Peter Jaksa, Ph.D.) Many people use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD. The term ADD has gained popularity among the general public, in the media, and is even commonly used among professionals. We are basically still talking about the same thing however, whether we call it ADD or ADHD. (Peter Jaksa, Ph.D.) Current research shows that there may be as many as 13 different genes that vary from the so-called normal genes that are involved in making up what we call the attention deficits. According to the epidemiological data, approximately 4 to 6 percent of the U.S. population has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Experts at the National Institute of Mental Health, estimate that ADHD a...
