It is important to understand that symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that occur in ADHD can occur in many other psychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is important whenever possible to have the diagnostic evaluation done by a psychiatrist trained in the differential diagnosis of child and adolescent mental disorders. There is much evidence from research studies that ADHD is an inborn disorder. It often runs in families and neuroimaging studies sometimes reveal anatomical differences in the brains of children with ADHD when compared to normal children. This means that there is a biological predisposition to develop ADHD, at least in many of the cases.
Environmental influences can worsen the symptoms.
Moreover, in my opinion, there are some children who are diagnosed as ADHD who grow up in such unstable, neglectful environments that their uncontrolled behavior, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity seems to result directly from their experiences in their homes. With these children, it may be impossible to determine if their problems are inborn, environmentally caused or both. Treatment About 75 percent of children with well-diagnosed ADHD respond to the stimulant medications Ritalin and Dexedrine. These medications are quick acting and generally safe. If they are administered to a healthy child, no special tests including blood work have to be done.