ADHD / ADD is typically diagnosed by a clinician or therapist who simply observes symptoms as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of *Mental Disorders.


What Causes ADD / ADHD?
keep in mind that the medical community says “mental disorders” may be caused by physical injuries, ailments, biological or environmental factors.

And although there are theories as to what might cause ADD / ADHD in particular, these is no proven cause.

What does this mean? It means that AD/HD may very well have a variety of different causes, including physical, biological, viral, bacterial, fungal or physical-environmental.

Diagnosis Doesn't Require a Known, Single or Common Cause
For argument's sake, let's say that, unbeknownst to you, your 10-year-old has a reaction to lactose (the sugar found in milk) that causes brain fog, sleep and breathing problems and agitation. And that, combined, these manifest as symptoms of AD/HD.

The official diagnostic criteria in the DSM only requires that the behavior not be attributed to another “mental” disorder. It says nothing of physical disorders. Observed symptoms alone can qualify a diagnosis of AD/HD.


Many Different Causes, Many Different Treatments?
In other words, a milk allergy (just an arbitrary example) could be the cause of your child's AD/HD symptoms. Which does not at all imply that it's the cause of all cases of AD/HD.

In the absence of proof to the contrary, it is entirely possible that there are many different causes of AD/HD, and in some people, perhaps multiple causes.

We can make certain general observations of ADDers, for instance that their brainwaves appear to be in sleep (theta) mode, or that their frontal lobes are smaller. But that still doesn't tell us the cause. And it doesn't rule out the possibility that there are 101 different causes of what we refer to as AD/HD.


”But it Runs in the Family” - All Sorts of Causes Can Be Genetic
Many people assume that if multiple members and generations of their family have AD/HD, it really must be an inborn neurological defect. But why is that?

Think about it. Any number of causes might affect entire families: Environmental toxins could cause brain fog in all members of the household. A Vitamin D or Omega 3 deficiency could be the result of an inherited metabolic trait, a common diet, or both. And the list of potential links goes on and on.

Exploring All Potential Causes & Safe Treatments
Very, very few doctors will go through any tests at all before diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder. And, in their defense, this is often to save you from a lengthy, expensive ordeal.

Maybe by jumping right to the chase with a diagnosis and prescription your doctor really is just saving you precious time, money, pain and inconvenience. That is one distinct possibility.

But if you're feeling uneasy about AD/HD itself, stimulant medications, or just the fact that the symptoms might have another identifiable cause, you can dig deeper, stand your ground, and find a doctor who is willing to go the distance with you.

Help Right Now, Today
If you are in a critical situation where you or your child cannot perform at work or in school, where absent-mindedness has become dangerous, or where self-esteem is in immediate jeopardy, you might decide to seek stimulant medication or other broad AD/HD treatments immediately. But that doesn't mean you can't continue to explore all potential causes and treatments that might be very specific to your own chemistry.

(GoFar neither endorses nor rejects stimulant medications. What we do strongly encourage is that everyone
be fully informed about all options, the research behind them, risks, benefits and potential side effects.)

Here's a summary of factors known to cause symptoms of inattention, brain fog, irritability, hyperactivity, hyper focus, daydreaming, impulsivity, memory problems and/or poor judgment:


Common Causes
Insufficient sleep; sleep disorders; allergies or intolerances; hearing or vision problems; anemia or pre-anemia; hypoglycemia; adrenal fatigue; hypo- or hyperthyroidism; diabetes; nutritional deficiencies; elevated blood levels of lead, mercury, manganese or various other substances; reduced oxygen levels; poor circulation; exposure to contaminants/poor air quality; learning disabilities; past head injuries; emotional problems; and, extreme stress.

Less Common Causes to Explore
Chronic viral, bacterial, fungal, yeast or parasitic infections; drug or supplement reactions or interactions; Tourette's;seizure disorders; spinal defects; mild metabolic or genetic disorders; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder; depression; sensory integration dysfunction; cardiac conditions; fetal alcohol syndrome; pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; poor communication and/or prevailing language skills; and, gifted abilities leading to boredom.


Very Rare Causes to Rule Out
Brain cysts, early-stage brain tumors, temporal lobe seizures, Klinefelter syndrome, having an extra Y chromosome, Porphyria, multiple sclerosis.


The Next Steps
If you have one or more children with ADHD or ADD symptoms, you already have a very full plate. Maybe you and your spouse have symptoms too, or you both work. Or you're a single parent. It can be overwhelming to think about carrying out all these experiments, keeping logs and scheduling tests. That's why it's imperative that you take a pragmatic, step-by-step approach.


Uncovering or Ruling Out Causes of AD/HD Symptoms
Each of us needs to decide for ourselves how far down this investigative road we want to travel. For some, solutions may be found after the first few steps.

1. Take the AD/HD questionnaire to target likely factors.

2. Begin a daily AD/HD Log so you can identify how food, sleep, activities, supplements, medications and environment influence the apparent AD/HD symptoms.

3. Schedule Comprehensive Blood Tests.

4. Schedule a Comprehensive Urine Test.

5. Schedule a Stool Sample Test.

6. Have a thorough eye exam.

7. Have a thorough auditory exam.

8. Visit an allergist.

9. Practice the elimination diet, one item at a time.

10. Practice the addition diet, one item at a time.

11. Practice environmental eliminations, one item at a time.

12. Practice environmental additions, one item at a time.

13. Practice activity elimination, one item at a time.

14. Practice activity additions, one item at a time.

15. Have metabolic and genetic testing done.

16. Visit a neurologist for testing.

17. Visit a cardiologist for testing.

18. Test any safe, available remedies for conditions that cause ADD/ADHD symptoms but which cannot be tested for. Sometimes, finding an effective treatment can help identify the cause.

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*“Mental” doesn't mean “Psychological” or “Psychiatric.”
When we hear “mental disorders,” most of us start thinking about Psycho's Norman Bates, or the guy we once saw yelling at himself as he walked down the street with a paper bag over his head. But the fact is that the word “mental” simply means “of the mind; intellectual,” and the term itself does not imply low intelligence, hallucinations, moral, ethical or emotional dysfunction, or "craziness."

And despite the negative connotation, “disorder” really only means that one's brain follows a different order than the typical brain does. Majority rules. And since 95 percent of the population does not have ADD / ADHD, they are considered “ordered” while we are “disordered.”

Also take note that neurologists consider AD/HD a neurological disorder rather than a mental one. Just good to know for your own peace of mind. Semantics, folks! That's all these labels are. Make up new ones if you like. Many people call those with ADD/ADHD "hunters" or "carriers of the Edison gene." At GoFar, we use "ADD, ADHD and AD/HD" for clarity and simplicity, and because--no matter what you call it--we have nothing to hide!