Is There a Link Between Early Childhood Injuries And ADHD?

Mental health professionals have long wondered about the relationship between early childhood injuries and ADHD. Previous studies have suggested that ADHD may be a result of early traumatic brain injury.  An article published online in Medial News Today (11/8/08) examines this issue. The article reports on a study recently published in the British Medial Journal. The researchers studied “62,088 children from 308 general practices between 1988 and 2003,” and measured the frequency of head injuries and burn injuries before the age of 2. The results were interesting. “Results of the analysis showed that compared to non-injured controls, children in both injury groups [head injury and burn injury] had similar and significantly higher rates of ADHD. Specifically, having a head injury before age two predicted a doubling in the likelihood of receiving an ADHD diagnosis compared to not having a head injury. There was no difference, however, between the head injury group and the burn injury group.” The results of this study support the “hypothesis that the ADHD core symptoms - excessive inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity - might be key factors associated with an increased rate of injury."  These results suggest that although ADHD may be associated with an increased likelihood of early childhood injuries, it is unlikely that ADHD is caused by early traumatic brain injury.

The Bottom Line: The results of this study suggest that ADHD may be associated with an increased likelihood of early childhood injuries, however it is unlikely that ADHD is caused by early traumatic brain injury.

Reference: Article http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/128443.php

Thirteen Great Books on ADHD

1. Driven To Distraction : Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (Paperback - Mar 2, 1995)
2. Answers to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (Paperback - Mar 1, 1996)
3. Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD by Jennifer Koretsky (Paperback - Sep 24, 2007)
4. Survival Tips for Women with AD/HD: Beyond Piles, Palms, & Post-its by Terry Matlen (Paperback - Jan 1, 2005)
5. ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau (Paperback - Aug 2002)
6. Organizing Solutions for People With Attention Deficit Disorder: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized by Susan C Pinsky (Paperback - Dec 1, 2006)
7. Making ADD Work: On-the-Job Strategies for Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder by Blythe Grossberg (Paperback - Sep 6, 2005)
8. Women with Attention Deficit Disorder: Embrace Your Differences and Transform Your Life by Sari Solden, Edward T. Hallowell, and John J. Ratey (Paperback - Nov 29, 2005)
9. Scattered Minds: Hope and Help for Adults with ADHD by Lenard Adler and Mari Florence (Hardcover - May 4, 2006) - Bargain Price
10. 10 Simple Solutions to Adult ADD: How to Overcome Chronic Distraction & Accomplish Your Goals (10 Simple Solutions) by Stephanie Sarkis (Paperback - Jan 2, 2006)
11. You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly, Peggy Ramundo, and Edward M., M.D. Hallowell (Paperback - April 25, 2006)
12. Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults, 4th Edition: A Different Way of Thinking by Lynn Weiss (Paperback - Nov 25, 2005)
13. The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents by Nancy A. Ratey (Hardcover - April 1, 2008)

Resource and Support Groups for ADHD

1. Attention Deficit Disorder Association
2. The Center
3. Adders.org 
4. Daily Strength  
5. ADHD news.com  
6. Additude  
7. About.com ADD ADHD
8. WebMD  
9. The Real Beauty of ADHD Support Groups
10. Wegohealth

Additional Resources:

• For related articles on ADHD and adults on the Web, click on: “Sphere: Related Content” located at the bottom of this blog post.
• For related books or blog posts with related content in Dr. Jeff’s and Dr. Tanya’s Blog, go to “Psychiatric Disorders: ADHD: General” or type in the keyword “ADHD and Adults” into “Google Search” located in the sidebar.
• For more books with related content, click any hyperlinked keyword in the blog or type in the keyword, “ADHD and Adults” into “Amazon Search” on the Amazon banner located in the side bar.

Sources: See also blogposts in: Psychiatric Disorders: ADHD: General

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Dr. Tanya Korkosz

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com

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