ADHD is commonly inherited, with a parent with ADHD 24 times more likely to have a child with ADHD. Many parents with ADHD are unaware of their condition, but exhibit similar symptoms to their ADHD child. Help is available through certified ADD coaches to develop strategies to avoid self-defeating behaviors.
You may have heard the expression “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. While this axiom is meant to refer to certain traits and characteristics that are passed down from one generation to the next, it can also hold true for the child of a parent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several studies have shown that ADHD is commonly inherited, often traversing the entire family tree. In fact, research now shows that a parent with ADHD is 24 times more likely to have attention deficit disorder (ADD)/child with ADHD. Also, a parent with ADHD is unlikely to outgrow it.
Often, a parent with ADHD isn’t even aware they have the condition. Diagnosing children with ADHD, on the other hand, became a bit of a phenomenon during the 1980s. But it wasn’t until the next decade that adult ADHD became the popularity disorder. This does not necessarily mean that the incidence of ADHD has increased over the years. However, it does suggest that today’s parent with ADHD likely escaped diagnosis as a child.
Not surprisingly though, a parent with ADHD exhibits similar symptoms to the ADHD child. The most obvious symptom is hyperactivity, although not all parents with ADHD will show signs of it. More commonly, ADD adults have problems concentrating and organizing, as well as displaying impulsive tendencies. A parent with ADHD may also have a reduced tolerance for stress and can often experience mood swings up and down.
These symptoms, however, may go unnoticed as adults have more opportunities to develop a variety of coping strategies than children. Unfortunately, some of these methods may involve the abuse of alcohol or drugs to combat the accompanying depression and insomnia. It is also not out of the ordinary for an adult to be outwardly assertive in terms of career actions, for example, compared to a child who constantly disrupts the classroom.
Fortunately, help is available for adults struggling with parenting with ADHD or ADD. One of the most valuable tools available today is the assistance of a certified ADD coach. The ADD coach is specifically trained to help parents take a proactive role in developing strategies to avoid self-defeating behaviors. Generally, this is accomplished through role-playing and simulation. Many coaches are doctors, psychologists, teachers and even parents.
The most important thing for a parent with ADHD to remember is that past actions or behaviors should not dictate the present. With help and determination, the adult with ADHD can learn how to move beyond self-limitations and become more self-regulating. Most importantly, the ADHD parent can be an excellent role model and advocate for their ADHD child.
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