Is ADHD Genetic? What Family History Really Means
When it comes to virtually any mental or behavioral health condition, people tend to have questions about the cause. Is anxiety genetic? What about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Genetic factors play a role in the development of many of these conditions. “How much” of the development of a condition is attributed to genetics vs. other factors varies from diagnosis to diagnosis.
If you’re reading this, you might wonder whether you or your child could have ADHD. Regardless, those exploring the possibility that they or someone close to them could have ADHD often find themselves asking–is ADHD genetic? Does ADHD run in families, or is there another cause?
Is ADHD Inherited? What the Science Says
Is ADHD inherited? The short answer is, “yes.” That said, it doesn’t happen 100% of the time. If a person has ADHD, it does not necessarily mean that their family members will for sure. However, those with an immediate family member, like a parent, who has ADHD are significantly more likely to have it themselves. ADHD is considered a genetic condition. It runs in families.
The estimated heritability of ADHD is about 80%.[1] This does not mean that there’s an 80% chance that a person who has a loved one with ADHD will have it, but we’ll get to that later. Instead, it means that ADHD is 80% explained by genetic factors.
What Twin and Family Studies Show
Twin and family studies on ADHD show that, yes–ADHD does run in families.[2] Also, for those who were adopted, the risk of ADHD increases when a person has a blood relative with the disorder. This shows that ADHD development is more attributable to genetic factors than environmental ones. Environmental influences can have an impact on ADHD development. But, it is much smaller.
Genes vs. Environment
When we talk about genes vs. environment, we are talking essentially about nature vs. nurture. An environmental factor is an external condition, exposure, or influence. These are things that exist outside of your DNA. Traumatic events or exposure to toxins are two common examples of environmental factors.
ADHD is primarily driven by genetics. Even so, it’s not caused by one single gene. Many possible DNA variations impact how the brain develops and regulates dopamine. ADHD is polygenic. This means it takes a collective pattern of many tiny genetic changes, each with a small impact. Whether a person ultimately develops ADHD depends on how many risk variants they have and how said variants interact with the person’s environment.
In essence, genetics set the foundation for the potential development of ADHD. A person’s genetics could make them very likely to have ADHD, or they might make it much less likely. Environmental factors can then affect ADHD development and severity. They have the potential to increase the likelihood further, trigger the condition, or make ADHD symptoms worse.
Low birthweight, oxygen deprivation, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and alcohol consumption are some examples of significant environmental risk factors for ADHD that we know of. So are trauma and stress. ADHD can’t be prevented completely. Even if parents do everything “right,” there’s still a chance that a child will have it, especially if they’re at an increased risk genetically. It’s crucial to understand that ADHD is no one’s fault.
What it Means if a Parent Has ADHD
Having a parent with ADHD is one of the strongest predictors that you will have it, too. As for an exact percentage, results vary from study to study. On average, however, if a child has a parent with ADHD, research suggests that there’s a 40% chance that the child will meet the criteria for ADHD, too.[3]
ADHD can only be diagnosed by qualified providers. For parents who suspect that their child has or could have ADHD, a diagnostic evaluation is the next step. Healthcare professionals often ask about family history as part of the evaluation process.
Getting Evaluated for ADHD
Getting evaluated for ADHD can look slightly different in kids vs. older teens and adults. Usually, it involves the following three steps.
- Collect documentation and personal history. This can include things like school report cards or an overview of how you or your child meets ADHD criteria.
- Make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Talk to a primary care provider or psychiatrist about getting an ADHD evaluation. If they do not provide diagnostic services, they can refer you to someone who does.
- Complete a comprehensive evaluation. A professional able to diagnose ADHD will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether a person has the condition. For example, symptoms of ADHD must affect at least two areas of life (e.g., work, school, family life, social relationships) and must not be better attributed to another condition.
Getting a formal diagnosis matters because it makes it possible to get ADHD treatment. Timely treatment for ADHD can improve daily life functioning, protect mental health, and prevent substance use disorders, among other positive outcomes.
Understanding ADHD and Its Symptoms
Understanding the signs and symptoms of ADHD can help you determine whether an evaluation is appropriate. People aged 17+ must have at least five symptoms of either inattention or hyperactivity (or both) to be diagnosed with ADHD. Those under age 17 must have at least six symptoms.
Inattention:
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish tasks (e.g., chores, school assignments, workplace duties) due to getting sidetracked or distracted
- Fails to give close attention to detail or makes mistakes that seem careless at work, school, or during other activities (e.g., chores, paperwork, household tasks)
- Being easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts (e.g., “spacing out,” accidentally thinking about something else during conversations)
- Avoidance, dislike of, or reluctance to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort or focus (e.g., school or work assignments)
- Often misplacing or losing items important for daily life (e.g., keys, wallet, glasses, school supplies, phone)
- Often struggles to sustain attention during tasks, while playing, or at work/school
- Often seeming as though one is not listening when spoken to directly
- Forgetfulness
Hyperactive/impulsive:
- Often acts as though one is “driven by a motor” or “on the go” (e.g., trouble staying still, being interpreted as hard to keep up with or restless by others)
- Often “blurts out” answers to questions before they’re completed (e.g., difficulty waiting for one’s turn during a conversation, completing people’s sentences)
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others’ activities (e.g., “butting into” games or conversations, talking before the other person is done speaking)
- Running about or climbing in inappropriate situations (may be limited to feeling restless in teens and adults)
- Often leaving one’s seat in situations where it is expected that they remain seated
- Often has trouble waiting for one’s turn (e.g., while in line)
- Often struggles to take part in leisure activities quietly
- Often fidgets, squirms in seat, or taps hands and feet
- Excessive talking
There are three presentations (“types”) of ADHD: primarily hyperactive/impulsive, primarily inattentive, and combined type. Having enough symptoms in one of the above areas means you may have primarily inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive ADHD. If you have enough symptoms in both areas, you may have combined type ADHD.
Contact Sanford Behavioral Health for Help Managing ADHD Symptoms
Whether you’re pursuing a possible ADHD diagnosis or are already diagnosed and need help managing symptoms, Sanford Behavioral Health is here for you. Call us confidentially at (616) 202-3326 or contact us online.
References
[1] Frontiers | Genetics in the ADHD clinic: How can genetic testing support the current clinical practice? (2022, March 8). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.751041/full
[2] Genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Molecular Psychiatry. (2018, June 11). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0070-0
[3] Assessing the magnitude of risk for ADHD in offspring of parents with ADHD: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis – PMC. (2021, November 1). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8051515/
