Can You Inherit ADHD?
Can you inherit ADHD? That is the question many parents are asking now when they see that the figures vary widely, depending on who you ask! I know that some figures are putting it as high as 76% which makes it highly inheritable while others are on the low side at 40%. But Israeli scientists have discovered a gene that may be responsible which establishes the hereditary link even further although a lot more research needs to be done.
Other estimates show that there is a one in five chance that a child with ADHD will have a very close relative who also has the same problem. That is a great plus point actually because the parents will understand and relate to what the child is going through
Getting organized though is quite a different kettle of fish as the parent is the one who has to organise the ADHD friendly home and that is challenging given the fact that distraction, lack of focus and inattention will all play havoc with the best laid plans.
But there are ways around this of course. We can organise our kids’ physical exercise and try to take part in it ourselves. The favourites among ADHD kids are:-
Any physical activity will help to get endorphins active and that means better moods all round. It helps both parents and children enormously not to mention the empathetic value of doing something together as a family rather than being stuck to a screen device.
Research also shows that children can focus and concentrate much better after any physical activity. That is why it is a must in any ADHD treatment program.
As regards national differences, there is some evidence about whether you can inherit ADHD has different interpretations, depending on where you are. Factors such as diet and who brings up the children can certainly have a bearing on all this. In the UK, the Journal of Family Psychology revealed that kids brought up by grandparents were less likely to display ADHD symptoms. In Italy, where the Mediterranean diet still reigns supreme, the numbers for ADHD are much lower but we cannot say whether diet will play such a decisive role.
Whether ADHD inherited or not, there is the difficult question about how to manage this mental disorder to make sure that the child has the best possible help. Medications using psychostimulants are regarded as a two edged sword. They are efficacious to a certain degree but there are troubling side effects (about 30% kids have problems). Worst of all they do not cure or even treat ADHD, they just tend to mask the symptoms.
There are alternative ways to treat ADHD and we should always bear in mind that behavior therapy parenting skills is still at the top of the list according to the US medical authorities.
Robert Locke is a health enthusiast who specializes in children's health. He has written extensively on ADHD. You can get more info on ADHD here.
Other estimates show that there is a one in five chance that a child with ADHD will have a very close relative who also has the same problem. That is a great plus point actually because the parents will understand and relate to what the child is going through
Getting organized though is quite a different kettle of fish as the parent is the one who has to organise the ADHD friendly home and that is challenging given the fact that distraction, lack of focus and inattention will all play havoc with the best laid plans.
But there are ways around this of course. We can organise our kids’ physical exercise and try to take part in it ourselves. The favourites among ADHD kids are:-
- swimming
- karate and martial arts in general
- gymnastics
- cheerleading
- ballet and dance
Any physical activity will help to get endorphins active and that means better moods all round. It helps both parents and children enormously not to mention the empathetic value of doing something together as a family rather than being stuck to a screen device.
Research also shows that children can focus and concentrate much better after any physical activity. That is why it is a must in any ADHD treatment program.
As regards national differences, there is some evidence about whether you can inherit ADHD has different interpretations, depending on where you are. Factors such as diet and who brings up the children can certainly have a bearing on all this. In the UK, the Journal of Family Psychology revealed that kids brought up by grandparents were less likely to display ADHD symptoms. In Italy, where the Mediterranean diet still reigns supreme, the numbers for ADHD are much lower but we cannot say whether diet will play such a decisive role.
Whether ADHD inherited or not, there is the difficult question about how to manage this mental disorder to make sure that the child has the best possible help. Medications using psychostimulants are regarded as a two edged sword. They are efficacious to a certain degree but there are troubling side effects (about 30% kids have problems). Worst of all they do not cure or even treat ADHD, they just tend to mask the symptoms.
There are alternative ways to treat ADHD and we should always bear in mind that behavior therapy parenting skills is still at the top of the list according to the US medical authorities.
Robert Locke is a health enthusiast who specializes in children's health. He has written extensively on ADHD. You can get more info on ADHD here.