Specifically, it appears that dopamine and norepinephrine have important roles in the ability of the brain to select and tune into certain relevant stimuli. Genetic factors appear to play an important role in many cases. Attention Deficit Disorder is commonly associated with other specific learning disabilities. Learning disabilities should be suspected when there is a significant scatter within a child's different abilities. Attention Deficit Disorder may touch a number of areas of a young person's life, impairing their relationships with peers and adults.
Depression occasionally takes the form of extreme irritability and outbursts of inappropriate anger.
It is noteworthy that three conditions, Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, and anxiety, frequently coexist and are often confused with each other. Family and social histories are also important. A careful neurological examination is necessary to exclude rare disorders of the nervous system that may mimic Attention Deficit Disorder. For example, the condition of petit mal epilepsy, which consists of brief episodes of blank staring, may occasionally mimic Attention Deficit Disorder. A multi-pronged approach is usually the most effective.