Is ADHD On The Rise? Part Two: What Factors Could Be In Play?

August 30, 2011 at 11:02 am , by Richard Rende

Part One of this Q & A (with myself) focused on the new data released by the CDC suggesting that rates of ADHD may be rising. In Part Two, we focus on possible reasons for this.

So although we don’t know for sure if the rates of ADHD are increasing, it’s possible that they are, and it would be important to determine what factors could be in play?

Right, that could lead to better interventions and preventions.

Isn’t ADHD a genetic disorder? How could it increase if that’s the case?

Well, ADHD has been shown to be highly heritable in studies, such as those that use the twin method. There have also been studies that have shown some association between specific gene markers and ADHD. However, even conditions that are highly heritable can be very sensitive to the environment, and changes in the environment. There’s an old principle to keep in mind: a clinical phenotype (such as ADHD) is the product of genotype (DNA) as it is shaped and affected by the environment.

Does this mean that if there are increases in ADHD, they are not due to genetics?

Most likely — genetic changes in the population often happen over very long periods of time. The kind of increases in rates of ADHD we are talking about are happening over the last ten years.

What kinds of environmental effects are you talking about?

Well, this is speculative. There could be prenatal factors involved and possible toxins that we don’t know about yet. You can refer to brief summaries such as those provided by the National Institute of Mental Health to learn more about what’s currently known. I would speculate that there could also be changes in the social environment. Again, keeping in mind that there is some type of genetic gradient underlying heritable conditions (and not just a genetic mutation or single gene cause), environmental contexts can have a strong effect on how frequently a disorder gets expressed. So, for example, if we have less than optimal educational environments, these could in part increase the expression of symptoms. The same thing applies to the home environment. Keep in mind that I am not saying these are causes of ADHD — these are potential contexts that can influence the extent to which symptoms are expressed or become problematic.

So what’s the bottom line here?

ADHD is highly prevalent. It’s got a biological basis to it. However, if it’s increasing, then we need to look at environmental factors that are either making symptoms worse or more clinically relevant in more kids across the country.

Part Three will focus on what the take-home messages are for parents.

Add a Comment

1. by Cindy

   On August 31, 2011 at 11:55 am

   I doubt ADHD is even a real thing. I think it’s just another created diagnosis by doctors that want money and gullible parents that want their children to be well behaved and docile all the time. Let kids be kids. They aren’t going to be focused all the time. They are CHILDREN. Lets just force them to pop a pill that kills their creative, impressive minds and makes them sit still and learn YOUR way.

2. by cheryl

   On September 5, 2011 at 2:03 pm

   I do believe there are some children with ADHD. I have a child who was diagnosed at the age of 3. He is now 7. It is a uphill battle. He is currently taking 3 different medications for ADHD, and still it only takes the edge off. He is super smart, and does very well in school, he is also extremely creative too, he still does have a lot of behavior problems. Then to had my son at the age of 4 was diagnosed Bi Polar. There are a lot of underlying problem, and I will keep going till, I can find what really helps my child. Then again most parents would. I have a great support system, with his pediatrician and therapist who is highly qualified in these areas. Then I also have my family and friends. It is hard on the child and on the parents.

3. by C. Malotte

   On September 5, 2011 at 2:28 pm

   I Know ADHD is a real thing. I live and breath it! I am almost 100% sure that it is in the genetics. Not that im disagreeing with anyone saying its not environment, but i believe its more genetic then environment. My father has never been diognosed with this but i believe he is bipolar. I’ve never lived with the man. Was only with him every other weekend growing up. I didnt know what his spending habits were but as an adult i struggle with the same bad habits he has. My brother and my sister (kids from my mother and step father) are both add. My son also has it. He didn’t grow up around my mother or father and has been diagnosed with adhd and is possibly bipolar also(we are waiting to go to a psychologist to find out this right now) Luckily I have educated my self on what to do and how to live with my disease.(if thats what you wanna call it) With my son we have started some behavior modification and it has seemed to work. I do believe that everyone has some form of either add/adhd but its not as dominant in some as it is in others. At least those are my thoughts.

4. by C. Malotte

   On September 5, 2011 at 2:31 pm

   @ cheryl would you mind emailing me about whats going on with your son? my child if 4 also and was diagnosed with adhd at 3 also.. my email is malottemama@gmail.com.. we are awating to see if he is bipolar also… we are also having the behavioral problems too…. thanks.. always interested when someone has the same problems i have…. Thanks!

5. by Ashley

   On September 5, 2011 at 2:38 pm

   I was dignosed with adhd in 1994. I was put on ritalin 1997 my doctor took me off with out notfiying the school or anything it was 6 months before any one noitced . A teacher noticed that i didnt go get my medication after lunch. She didnt notice it in my behavior.no one had. I used to think they had just made it up. But now that i have my own child I see some of the adhd in him like finding it hard to focus or remain clam for any amount of time. Its extermly dificult to get him to wind down at night…i believe my child has inherited from me

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