I think I've had ADD all my life but is it something that can develop later in life? Just wondering.....

According to the stuff I have been researching late onset is an automatic disqualifyer for ADD. All the diagnostic stuff I have read say for the PDOC to STOP and look for another cause for the behaviour.

I have read medical articles that think that ADD can be acquired due to severe child abuse. If the abuse is bad enough and continues for long enough it can actually restructure the child's brain. I also think this is something that is hard to prove because it would be hard to set this up in a clinical sense and follow it because no one would just allow the abuse to go on for the sake of the experiment. You also would not be able to pick out who was going to be abused beforehand to get brain scan etc. to compare before abuse and after abuse. Once the abuse occurs the behaviors that come about can mimic ADHD.


The web site I got the articles from are at The Child Trauma Academy. Put ADHD in the search engine and you will come up with many articles.

The official guideline is onset before 7 years of age.

I personally doubt child abuse could cause late onset of ADHD,maybe cause something that mimicks ADHD but isn't actually ADHD as it is a developmental disorder.

The official guideline is onset before 7 years of age.

I personally doubt child abuse could cause late onset of ADHD,maybe cause something that mimicks ADHD but isn't actually ADHD as it is a developmental disorder.
Emma,

Did you read the articles? Before you say something point blank you should actually read what people who are experts in their field have to say about it.
Granted the majority of ADHD IS NOT due to child abuse but there are people who have study this whose opinion differs from yours.

I thought I'd make it easy on you and post a link to one article. There are several other articles so read on after you've done a search for ADHD.

http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/pollard.asp

Heaven help me Fly! Narrow this down for me gal, I can't find the ADD reference, but it's so long!!! Can you copy and paste or summarize something?

On the checklists done for ADD top of the list is that ADD has been affecting your life from early childhood, about age 5. What is that medical list of symptoms called? Oh darn it, I'll find it and repost. Sorry.

Here is the appendix to that article. Extremely interesting post Fly Away!


APPENDIX 1


KEY POINTS: BRAIN ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION

*

The brain is not a 'single' system. It is many interacting and interconnected systems organized in a specific hierarchy -- with the most complex (cortex) on the top and the least complex (brainstem) on the bottom.

*

Different parts of the brain -- different 'systems' in the brain' -- mediate different functions (e.g., the cortex mediates thinking, the brainstem/midbrain mediate state of arousal).

*

All systems in the brain are comprised of networks of nerve cells (neurons). These neurons are continuously 'changing' (in chemical and structural ways) in response to 'signals' from other parts of the brain, the body or the environment (e.g., light, sound, taste, smell).

*

The 'changes' in neurons allow the storage of 'information'. This storage of information is the basis for 'memory' -- memory of all types -- motor, sensory, cognitive and affective.

*

Different parts of the brain -- which mediate different functions -- store information (memory) that is specific to the function of that part of the brain. This allows for different types of 'memory' -- for example, cognitive (names, phone numbers), motor (typing, riding a bicycle), 'affect' (nostalgia).

*

The brain stores information in a use-dependent fashion. The more a neurobiological system is 'activated' the more that state (and functions associated with that state) will be 'built' in -- for example, practicing the piano, 'memorizing' a poem, or staying in a state of fear.

*

In different 'states' of arousal (e.g., calm, fear, sleep), different neural systems are activated. Because the brain stores information in a use-dependent fashion, the information 'stored' (i.e., the memories) in any given situation depends upon the state of arousal (i.e., the neural systems which are activated). One example of this is 'state-dependent' learning -- another is the hyperarousal symptoms seen in post- traumatic stress disorder.



KEY POINTS: BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

*

The brain develops in a predictable fashion -- from most primitive to most complex. Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.

*

Normal development of neuronal systems (and functions they mediate) requires specific patterns of activity -- specific 'signals' -- at specific times during development.

*

These critical periods are windows of vulnerability during which the organizing systems are most sensitive to environmental input -- including traumatic experience.

*

Because the different systems in the brain develop (or mature) at different times in the life of a child, there are different critical periods for different functions (e.g., regulation of anxiety, mood, abstract thought).

*

Because these brain systems develop in a sequential fashion, from brainstem to cortex, optimal development of more complex systems (e.g., the cortex) requires healthy development of less complex systems (e.g., the brainstem and midbrain).

*

Therefore, if the state-regulating parts of the brain (brainstem and midbrain) develop in a less than optimal fashion (e.g., following excessive traumatic experience) this will impact development of all other regions of the brain.

*

The brain remains sensitive (plastic) to experience throughout life -- but different parts of the brain are most plastic (cortex) and others are relatively implastic (brainstem).



EXPERIENCE CAN CHANGE THE MATURE BRAIN -- BUT EXPERIENCE DURING THE CRITICAL PERIODS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD ORGANIZES BRAIN SYSTEMS!

Trauma during infancy and childhood, then, has the potential effect of influencing the permanent organization -- and all future functional capabilities -- of the child.

KEY POINTS: THE RESPONSE TO TRAUMA

*

The brain mediates threat with a set of predictable neurobiological, neuroendocrine and neuropsychological responses.

*

These responses may include different 'survival' strategies -- ranging from fighting or fleeing to 'giving up' or a 'surrender' reaction.

*

There are multiple sets of neurobiological and mental responses to stress. These vary with the nature, intensity and frequency of the event. Different individuals may have differing 'response' sets to the same trauma.

*

Two primary adaptive response patterns in the face of extreme threat are the hyperarousal continuum (defense -- fight or flight) and the dissociation continuum (freeze and surrender response). Each of these response 'sets' activate a unique combination of neural 'systems'.

*

These response patterns are somewhat different in infants, children and adults -- though they share many similarities. Adult males are more likely to use hyperarousal (fight or flight) response -- young children are more likely to use a dissociative pattern (freeze and surrender) response.

*

As with all experience -- when the brain 'activates' the neurophysiological systems associated with alarm or with dissociation, there will be use-dependent neurobiological changes (or in young children, use-dependent organization) which reflects this activation.

*

It is these use-dependent changes in the brain development and organization which underlie the observed emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social and physiological alterations following childhood trauma.

*

In general, the predominant adaptive style of an individual in the acute traumatic situation will determine which post-traumatic symptoms will develop -- hyperarousal or dissociative.



KEY POINTS: CLINICAL WORK WITH MALTREATED INFANTS

*

Anything that can decrease the intensity and duration of the acute response (alarm or dissociative) will decrease the probability of persisting neuropsychiatric symptoms.

*

In general, structure, predictability and nurturance are key elements to a successful early intervention with a traumatized infant.

*

The primary source of these key elements is the primary caretaker. Therefore, it is critical to help the caretakers understand as much about post-traumatic responses as possible.

*

If the primary caretakers were impacted by the same trauma, it is imperative that they get treatment which complements the work with the child.

*

Early assessment and intervention can be prophylactic -- helping prevent a prolonged acute neurophysiological, neuroendocrine and neuropsychological trauma response.

http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/adhd.htm

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. (http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4tr.htm) Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association (http://www.psych.org/)

Thank you Stevo

Emma,

Did you read the articles? Before you say something point blank you should actually read what people who are experts in their field have to say about it.
Granted the majority of ADHD IS NOT due to child abuse but there are people who have study this whose opinion differs from yours.
The 7 year age cutoff is from the DSM-IV official diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

As far as I know you are born with ADD, it is usally past on through the family by for example your dad. The reason it takes people so long is the symptoms are only reconised later in life, I mean you can't tell if a baby is differant in that way because no babies pay attention.

[QUOTE=stevo]Here is the appendix to that article. Extremely interesting post Fly Away!

I thought it was too. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

I am not implying that all ADHD stems from abuse BUT what this articles is stating is that prolonged traumatic stress CAN actually restructure the brain if it happens during critical developmental points in the child's life. This is obviously an exception to what is used for diagnosing ADHD. To dx ADHD the doctor will look for at the person's history and there has to be consistent symptoms in different settings from childhood.

I can tell you though I do not feel that I had ADHD symptoms in early childhood or elementary school. It was only after prolonged trauma (coincidentally at the time the prefrontal lobe goes thru a growth spurt) that my symptoms showed up. Was it trauma or ADHD? I don't know - I don't think anyone can know for sure but I have ADHD and the dx has been confirmed by 2 doctors. I think any doctor who has a patient with a childhood trauma history will take that into consideration when diagnosing.

The Child Trauma Academy http://www.childtrauma.org/site_search.asp?search=adhd&x=0&y=0&mode=anywords

Trauma and Terror in Childhood:
The Neuropsychiatric Impact of Childhood Trauma

" . . . In addition, the signs and symptoms of PTSD can look very similar to other neuropsychiatric disorders in children, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depression.

In these cases, the clinician may identify trauma-related symptoms as being part of another neuropsychiatric syndrome (e.g., hypervigilance is often consider an attention problem and traumatized children will be diagnosed and treated as if they have ADHD)." . . .

The Child Trauma Academy http://www.childtrauma.org/site_sea...0&mode=anywords (http://www.childtrauma.org/site_search.asp?search=adhd&x=0&y=0&mode=anywords)

Stress, Trauma and
Post-traumatic Stress Disorders in Children

http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/ptsd_interdisc.asp

" . . .The vast majority of young children from backgrounds of abuse and neglect and other trauma who present to the mental health system with symptoms of aggression, inattentiveness and noncompliance are male. They typically are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One wonders what happens to all the young girls who have been similarly traumatized. Children present to the mental health system because some adults in their world have been upset by their symptoms (which have almost always been caused by other adults). A compliant, dissociative, depressed young girl will generally not be brought to the attention of the mental health system, while her combative, verbally abusive and behaviorally-impulsive hyperaroused sibling (coming from the exact same abusive setting) will be. The potential homicide threatens, the potential suicide inconveniences.

Fly Away,

Thanks for the interesting articles about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children.

Your welcome :)

http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/Neuroarcheology.asp

The Neurodevelopmental Costs of Adverse Childhood Events

"The brain, then, becomes an historical organ. In its organization and functioning are memorialized our accumulated, synthesized and transformed experiences. And there is no greater period of sensitivity to experience than when the brain is developing. Indeed, as described above, the neuroarcheological record of maltreatment has pervasive and chronic impact on the child. An event that lasts a few months in infancy can rob a child's potential for a lifetime. The true costs of childhood maltreatment will never be appreciated, and can never be avoided, until clinicians, researchers and policy makers become aware of the core concepts of neurodevelopment and the neuorarcheology of child maltreatment."

Guess it depends on how you define ADD...

I personally think ADD is a poor descritpion. Attention Deficit itself can be caused by many factors throughout life but what most of us are, we have been since birth.

When most children start the "switch over" to a culture processing structure, we do not. It is probably observable before 7 but rarely understood that early.

My experience is that I had built up reasonable coping mechanisms to deal with my ADD...or so I thought. The social anxiety was constant but the focus seemed to get better in my early teen years. It alway got worse during stress. The coping mechanisms (most likely self denial) started to fail when my marriage went downhill.

This would mimic late life onset in people that were diagnosed as I had been in the 4th grade.

I covered up many of my ADD "issues" by living in foreign countries... this actually settled my mind. Now I cannot do that as I have children.

So...ADD is life long but often not noticed by the individual until major stress kicks in. (You honestly think everyone else is like you until then, lol)

Guess it depends on how you define ADD... Chain, the DSM-IV definition is used by professionals who diagnose ADHD. They also use observation, patient history and drug trials to aide in the diagnosis.

Attention Deficit itself can be caused by many factors throughout life but what most of us are, we have been since birth. Whoa there, big guy, we wouldn't want to mislead people. Current research shows that most ADHD is genetic; only a small percentage is from other causes.

So...ADD is life long but often not noticed by the individual until major stress kicks in. (You honestly think everyone else is like you until then, lol) Hmmm . . . most people I've talked to knew they, or their children, were different, but they didn't know there was a name for "it".

Some of the articles found by Fly Away clearly state that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often misdiagnosed as ADHD or other neurological disorders.

I don't know much about PTSD and I'm glad Fly Away brought up the subject.

Whoa there, big guy, we wouldn't want to mislead people. Current research shows that most ADHD is genetic; only a small percentage is from other causes.


Yes I was actually talking about attention deficit itself...not ADD. Attention deficit can be caused by many things. AD/HD is genetic. I am not trying to mislead.

I am 5"7' which is actually a bit small for a guy...I did gain some weight back when I lived in Japan...The Japanese were a bit smaller than me... so they might have called me big :) I really thought I was big though and dieted...lost 30 KG. That was amazing! I am not big now though... kinda small...really


Hmmm . . . most people I've talked to knew they, or their children, were different, but they didn't know there was a name for "it".


Yes...agreed. but probably not understood as ADD...I think feeling different is a common human experience. I went through about 12 years where I denied there was even such a thing after being diagnosed.

Anyway... I do have a disclaimer in my sig... nobody should take me seriously...right?

I personally feel it is a cognitive type...and there is really nothing out there to prove it is not... psychology is still in its infancy. I do see how it can be disconcerting that I even have the gall to bring new ideas to the table and I am not a Harvard PHD... but then again I consider such a distinction to be externally referenced ;)

The information is out there and I can read too.

But big?.... geeze I am only called that when someone is trying to be patronizing.

I am already a father and I have one as well... so I am sure you don't mean to be patronizing.

If you are being so... it is probably because there is not a DSM IV description for patronizing yet.

Of course... we do know all there is to be known about ADD from that book... I am sure. ;)

Sorry for the remarks... I am in a particularly silly mood these days:



Impulsivity


often blurts out answers to questions before the questions have been completed
often has difficulty awaiting turn
often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
Silly is not in there... it must not be my ADD!

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Yes I was actually talking about attention deficit itself...not ADD. Attention deficit can be caused by many things. AD/HD is genetic. I am not trying to mislead.
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Thanks for the clarification.