Is ADHD Genetic? Looking At The Evidence And Thinking About The Right Treatment
Is ADHD Genetic? Looking At The Evidence And Thinking About The Right Treatment
Scientists have now discovered that children with ADHD are twice as likely to have a chromosome disorder than normal children. The study took place in the UK and it involved 366 white British children who were aged between five and seventeen. This is the first evidence to show scientifically that the answer to the question, is ADHD genetic, has a positive answer.
Studies in Israel have actually identified two of the genes which are associated with ADHD so that is more evidence that there is indeed a genetic link.
The question, is ADHD genetic, is often answered by parents themselves when they discover for the first time that they have had ADHD all their lives and it went undiagnosed and unnoticed! It only came to light when their own children started to show the telltale signs and symptoms of hyperactivity, distractability and inattention.
The genetic link is shown in the statistics which reveal that all ADHD children have a close relative who has this mental condition or difference. Some estimates say that about a third of fathers who have ADHD will have children who will be affected. It seems then that the genetic link is pretty clear cut although the actual scientific evidence may not come to light for some time yet. There is also some evidence to show that the majority of identical twins have ADHD.
Whatever the genetic causes and so on, the condition itself is now regarded as a mainly neurological one in that the brain chemicals are out of sync. These are the adrenaline and the norepinephrine ones and also to a certain extent the serotonin one which is responsible for our good mood or lack of it. That is why depression is often a comorbid condition with ADHD.
The cures and so called treatments are many and varied. But one thing is certain and that is that behavior management is now regarded as central and medication should only be considered as second or even last option. Medication has caused so much controversy that many parents are tired of the arguments and want a natural ADHD remedy which will not turn their children into zombies.