I originally wrote this as an answer to a question on Quora. The first part of this article describes the genetic origin of ADHD. In the last portion of this article, I share some of my bad experiences with being diagnosed in the late 1970s.
It is generally accepted at this point that ADHD is primarily a genetic disorder. So, using general models of recessive gene expression, ADHD is acquired by having at least one parent with an ADHD-related gene. It seems that the more recent genetic research suggests that there may be several genes that contribute to an inherited predisposition for ADHD. Because there may be several genes that contribute to ADHD susceptibility, there is a varying and complex modeled probability of the genetic inheritance.
Further complicating the cause of ADHD is the latent onset of pronounced ADHD symptoms. Though ADHD is primarily genetic in origin, symptoms may not be observable until ADHD is triggered later in life.
From a biological and neurological perspective, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by brain deficiencies in the prefrontal cortex and low dopamine neurotransmitter levels. The prefrontal cortex regulates the brain’s cognitive executive functions.
Additionally, although ADHD is primarily genetic in origin, environmental factors may affect how the symptoms are exhibited and how pronounced they are displayed. It is generally assumed that ADHD is present prior to any environmental effects on how pronounced the symptoms are exhibited.
So, you’re born with ADHD. Although when I was a kid, 40 years ago, my elementary school teachers were sure that ADHD was just an excuse for why I didn’t pay attention in class. In fact, a few of them would regularly pull me outside of the classroom to yell at me. They also told me that I wasn’t capable of much.
I even attended a school where we were observed in the classroom, as part of a study funded by a research grant in the 80s. By observe, I mean there were one-sided windows where they could see us, but we couldn’t see them. They would try different medications to see the effect on us and did odd studies on our reactions to adverse conditions.
I remember one study where they would give us a nickel if we answered a question correctly. Then, randomly, they would take away a nickel for correct answers, without any explanation.
The part of the experiment that made me the most nervous, was when they locked us in a small room when we got in trouble. The more I was in there, the more anxious and loud I got, which only increased the time that I was locked in the room.
It’s comforting to know that ADHD is better understood by the medical community than it was 40 years ago. It’s also comforting to know that schools treat children with ADHD better than they did 40 years ago.
I originally wrote this article as an answer on Quora. The original Quora post is linked here.
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