Highlights
- The causes of ADHD are complex but research suggests that genetics play a very large role and that people are born with ADHD or a predisposition to ADHD.
- You cannot develop symptoms of ADHD as an adult. It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain as it’s developing in infancy and early childhood.
- There is evidence that ADHD is not caused by vaccines, bad parenting, or excessive sugar intake.
- With treatment, you can manage the symptoms of ADHD and achieve your goals.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. There are many myths out there about what causes ADHD, including that it’s caused by vaccines or bad parenting, or that people can suddenly develop ADHD in adulthood.
Research shows that people are most likely born with a genetic predisposition to ADHD. Also, some other external factors can play a role in early childhood years. You can’t spontaneously develop ADHD later on in life if you haven’t had any symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity at a younger age (before the age of 12, according to the official diagnostic criteria). However, it is possible for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD only as an adult because of masking, misdiagnosis, poor access to care as a child, or adult stress.
In this blog, we explain the science behind the development of ADHD and how it’s possible to get a diagnosis later in life without necessarily ‘knowing’ or ‘having been told’ about having ADHD in childhood.
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Are People Born With ADHD?
The question of whether people are born with ADHD, or if they develop it over time, is a complex one. But one thing is clear: genetic factors play a significant role. Research shows that some people are born with a genetic predisposition to ADHD: if one twin has ADHD, the other has
ADHD is categorized as a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means that it affects the brain as it’s developing (starting with early brain formation in the womb, during infancy, and throughout childhood). This is different from mental health conditions that can develop at any point in your life. More research may help us say definitively whether people are born with ADHD, but it’s clear that they are born, at minimum, with a genetic likelihood of developing it.
Can ADHD Be Developed Over Time?
It’s a common misconception that you can develop ADHD at any point in time. Since it is a neurodevelopmental condition, it means that the brain is affected while it’s developing. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, you must have shown symptoms before the age of 12. You cannot suddenly develop symptoms of ADHD as an adult — most likely, what seems like a late onset of symptoms, in fact, is an increase in their severity to clinical relevance. It is also possible for a person with undiagnosed ADHD to seek assessment and treatment for the first time in adulthood because of poor access to mental health care in the past.
So, it’s possible to only be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult despite having symptoms earlier. Many people — especially women — don’t receive the right diagnosis when they’re children, for example, because they are skilled at masking their symptoms. They may develop coping skills — like keeping a strict calendar or mimicking social skills — that hide the fact that they have ADHD.
Just as there are risk factors increasing the likelihood of having ADHD, protective factors also exist. While uncommon, some symptoms may remain undetected in childhood and surface in adolescence or, in rare cases, adulthood. "
In addition, there is still a high level of misunderstanding regarding ADHD. It’s still closely associated with symptoms of hyperactivity, which are more often present in boys. So symptoms that aren’t as disruptive in the classroom, like inattention or brain fog, may go unnoticed by teachers and other adults. In adults, symptoms of the inattentive type of ADHD are also
If you feel that you’ve developed symptoms that look like ADHD suddenly in adulthood, then there are a few possible explanations:
- You may have masked or misunderstood your ADHD during childhood, and are only now noticing them.
- You may be mistaking the symptoms of another mental health condition for ADHD. For example, many mental health conditions, like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can cause a lack of focus and concentration.
It’s important to get assessed for ADHD if you’re showing symptoms, because there are many negative effects and consequences of untreated ADHD. You can start by taking a 5-minute science-backed ADHD test online to see if you may need to consult a healthcare provider.
So, What Are the Causes of ADHD?
Researchers are still studying the exact causes of ADHD, however, genetic factors are known to play a significant role. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s one specific gene that is responsible for developing the condition. But scientists have found
ADHD is also linked to biological differences in the brain. Scans show that children and adolescents with ADHD have
These biological causes suggest that people are born with ADHD. But there are also some
- Significant head injury
- Epilepsy
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Mother’s smoking during pregnancy
- Exposure to lead during pregnancy
- Severe childhood infections (e.g. encephalitis)
- History of childhood abuse or neglect
Common Myths Around ADHD Causes
Although research into the exact causes continues, scientists have been able to rule out some potential factors. So, here are some myths about the causes of ADHD that have been proven to be untrue.
Myth: ADHD is caused by bad parenting
Fact: Some research suggests that early childhood experiences, like child maltreatment, are
Myth: ADHD is caused by vaccines
Fact: Research has shown that common vaccines do not increase the risk for ADHD. If you have any questions about vaccines and their benefits and risks, talk to your healthcare provider.
Myth: Too much sugar intake causes symptoms of ADHD
Fact:
While there is no definitive link between sugar consumption and ADHD, other dietary factors may influence the severity of symptoms in children with ADHD. There is significant anecdotal evidence that strongly suggests diet (beyond carbohydrate intake) may impact children with ADHD, either mitigating or exacerbating symptoms.
Myth: ADHD is a sign of a lack of discipline
Fact: Some people claim that the hyperactivity of ADHD isn’t the symptom of a condition, but simply the lack of discipline. They may say that disciplining a child appropriately will “cure” them of hyperactivity and other symptoms.
This is simply untrue. ADHD is a very real neurodevelopmental condition that affects the brain. Only professional treatment and behavioral strategies can help children and adults manage the symptoms.
Regardless of how much you “discipline” a child with ADHD, this will not make it so that their brain isn’t affected by the disorder. Moreover, the fear of punishment may make the child start to mask or hide their symptoms, which can delay the diagnosis and treatment that they need.
Takeaway
The causes of ADHD are complex, including both internal and environmental factors. But genetic evidence suggests people can be born with a strong predisposition towards ADHD, particularly when a first-degree relative has clinical ADHD. However, despite a strong genetic component, external influences starting as early in the womb play a significant role as well.
ADHD causes structural brain differences — there’s no way to “discipline” or “think” your way out of it. If you live with ADHD, you need and deserve treatment.
Treatment for ADHD isn’t about “curing” it — ADHD isn’t an illness or disease — but about helping you manage its symptoms so that you can achieve your goals and feel your best. At MEDvidi, your appointment is a click away — and you can see a provider as soon as tomorrow to get a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
FAQs About ADHD
What is the earliest age to diagnose ADHD?
ADHD can be diagnosed in children as young as 3 years old. On average, it’s diagnosed at
Does ADHD go away?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it’s chronic and lifelong. However, research has found that
Does ADHD get worse with age?
What age does ADHD peak?
Can you develop ADHD as an adult?
No, you cannot develop ADHD as an adult. Being a neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD develops in childhood, so you must display symptoms before the age of 12 to meet the diagnostic criteria. However, it is possible to get diagnosed only in adulthood.
