If you’re an adult living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may find yourself wondering whether it’s a genetic condition. If neither of your parents has been diagnosed and you don’t have any of the symptoms, you may begin digging into family history, asking questions about your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It’s normal to search for all the information you can find in the face of any kind of diagnosis.
Research seems to indicate that ADHD is hereditary about 70-80% of the time.1 But, no matter the cause, managing ADHD symptoms is possible with the right help. Columbia Associates is proud to offer comprehensive ADHD treatment at all of our locations
Is ADHD Genetic? Unpacking the Factors
When it comes to our physical health, understanding family history is prioritized from the start. We’re asked to fill out forms that indicate which of our family members experienced specific ailments anytime we begin seeing a new physician. The process makes it clear that genetics play a part in our physician’s approach. However, people often overlook familial factors in mental health. This is in large part due to the complexities involved. Scientists know that genetics play a role in an individual’s predisposition to things like anxiety and depression, but still aren’t sure how big of a role it plays. For example, 40-50% of identical twins will both struggle with depression if one of them does.2 Though this is a relatively high percentage, it also means that approximately half of identical twins don’t struggle in the same way as their sibling.
Similarly complex is ADHD. If a parent has symptoms, it’s likely that their child will inherit the condition as well. However, there are a variety of other factors that must be considered as well, including prenatal and early childhood development factors:
Prenatal Factors
Smoking During Pregnancy
Nicotine has been shown to disrupt brain development in utero. This can lead to a negative impact on the brain’s ability to regulate attention and impulses, which are hallmarks of ADHD symptoms.
Alcohol Use
Prenatal use of alcohol has been linked to a variety of developmental conditions, including ADHD. This disruption in brain development can lead to similar outcomes as nicotine, including trouble focusing, lack of impulse control, and executive functioning difficulties.
High-Stress During Pregnancy
Long periods of intense stress during pregnancy can increase the risk of emotional and behavioral challenges for a child due to vitamin shortages in the mother. This can result in decreased stress resilience.3 Additionally, stress hormones like cortisol can develop in areas of the brain that are associated with emotional regulation.
Maternal Nutrition
Extended stress can lead to poor nutrition, which, if combined with substance misuse, can lead to negative impacts on fetal development, including cognitive and behavioral concerns.4
It’s important to note that these are all factors but not necessarily the cause of ADHD. It’s likely that many factors come together at once, creating the opportunity for ADHD to develop—particularly in people with a genetic predisposition.
Early Childhood Factors
Lack of Structure
Unpredictable environments can be challenging for many children, and can make it difficult for them to develop certain important executive functioning skills. Having routines and guidance is important for all children’s development, but even more so for those who develop ADHD.
High-Stress Living Environment
Homes with frequent conflict, abuse, or neglect can lead to trauma that impacts the brain’s functioning when it comes to focus and emotional processing. These are factors that can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD
Level of Parental Involvement
Similar to the impact of the level of structure in a home is a level of engagement. When children know what to expect from their parents in terms of emotional support and discipline, it helps them to develop healthy coping strategies. On the other hand, more unpredictable parenting styles or even overly authoritarian styles can lead children who grow up with maladaptive coping mechanisms.
No Matter the Cause, Managing ADHD Symptoms Is Possible
Regardless of the cause or factors that lead to or exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD, there are ways to manage them. Some of these ways include lifestyle choices like using time management strategies, incorporating movement into your day, and practices that help calm the mind and keep you grounded.
Another way to manage ADHD symptoms is by seeking the support of a mental health professional. This can look like having regular sessions with an experienced therapist. At Columbia Associates, treatment for ADHD may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – A highly effective method for developing focus and emotional regulation
- Behavioral therapy – Helps individuals build structured habits and reduce impulsivity
- Medication management – Stimulant medications may help your focus and increase your ability to manage impulses and emotions.
While therapy and lifestyle changes are paramount, sometimes medication can be what’s needed to enhance progress. Common stimulant medications for ADHD include:
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Adderall
- Vyvanse
These stimulants have proven to be effective for many clients and are often quick-acting. Non-stimulant medications can also be prescribed for clients who prefer a non-stimulant approach. Instead of increasing dopamine, these medications work by impacting the norepinephrine levels in the brain:
- Strattera
- Intuniv
- Kapvay
Non-stimulant medications typically take a significantly longer time to work but have shown to be effective.
Find Effective ADHD Treatment Today with Columbia Associates
ADHD management is most effectively treated through a variety of measures. Just as important as therapy or medication, are the tools you use on a daily basis to help yourself live with a sense of peace. Make use of planners, set reminders on your phone, and approach tasks reasonably—taking them step by step. Also make sure to get plenty of exercise to reduce hyperactivity.
Whether ADHD is genetic isn’t a simple yes or no answer, and the symptoms are complex, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live well. Columbia Associates is here to provide the professional support you need. Call 703.682.8208 for more information today.
For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.
Sources:
- NeuroLaunch – Is ADHD Hereditary? Unraveling the Genetic Puzzle and Generational Patterns
- Standford Medicine Genetics of Brain Function – Major Depression and Genetics
- Preventionconversation.org – Prenatal Exposure and ADHD: Assessing the Impact of Maternal Stress, Nutrition, and Substance Use
- Preventionconversation.org – Prenatal Exposure and ADHD: Assessing the Impact of Maternal Stress, Nutrition, and Substance Use