ontinue for at least 6 months.
In children, they must be more frequent or severe than in others the same age. Above all, the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. So someone whose work or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD. Nor would a child who seems overly active at school but functions well elsewhere.
There are many causes of ADHD, only some of which are known. In addition to genetic influences, various factors affecting the pregnant mother have been implicated, including the use of prescription or illicit drugs and the use of alcohol and nicotine (Dickenson-Hazard, 1994). There is mounting evidence that the overprocessing of foods--including artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives, and other additives--may be a factor, coupled with the depletion of various vitamins and minerals from the processed foods (Dickenson-Hazard, 1994).
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