ADD A to Z: Your Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Download Your Copy Today

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a form of mental illness that has taken the world by storm. We now see as much as 5% of all school age children suffering from ADHD. However, when you add in the fact that adults also struggle with this disorder, and things get very difficult. Unfortunately, ADHD is still a misunderstood illness. Because of the tremendous hyperactivity that goes along with ADHD, some people still believe it has something to do with poor parenting, boredom, over-stimulation, and so on. Through more than 20 years of research, the true cause of ADHD has been identified, showing this is a valid neurobiological disorder.

In addition, many genetic studies have been performed, now showing that genetics do in fact play an important role. New family studies have been documented whereby familial transmission is fact. For example, transmission occurs through biological means whereby ADHD is highly heritable, so much that genes account for up to 75% of the disorder’s variability. That means that families with multiple ADHD cases are more common than you might think. Having one member of the family with ADHD can be difficult but then when you have entire families with multiple ADHD cases, things can become almost impossible.

Trying to keep one child or adult with ADHD on track for school or work is a huge challenge. This individual will have the hyperactivity problem along with issues associated with concentration, sleep, focus, details, and so on. This type of situation is extremely stressful and if not treated properly, can lead to serious problems. However, when you have entire families with multiple ADHD cases, it might feel as though the world were caving in. If you live in a family where more than one person has ADHD, the first and most important step is to find a solid, ADHD doctor that can provide options for medication and therapy.

Keep in mind that just because you see families with multiple ADHD cases does not mean each person would be treated the same. In fact, chances they would be treated differently because they would likely have different symptoms, even more reason why a good doctor who deals with ADHD is essential. Typically, you can talk to your family doctor for recommendations but if he or she does not know who to refer you to, then you can look in the phone book or check with the local medical board. Once a doctor has been identified, each family member will need to have a separate consultation so the right treatment plan can be determined.

Although families with multiple ADHD cases can create new challenges, this is not an impossible situation. For the family members, they will need to learn to respect each other’s space and situation, again reminding themselves that every person with ADHD goes through the disorder differently. The best option is to devise a plan that the entire family agrees to. For instance, the plan may offer a flexible schedule for the kids getting homework done, having regular family meetings, providing each other with tremendous love and support, and making sure everyone is making doctor’s appointments. Yes, families with multiple ADHD cases are unique and often frustrating. While this situation is certainly a challenge for everyone involved, it is not an impossible situation.