The Neurobiology of ADHD
How ADHD Impacts Families and What Supports Can Help!
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities
Many people do not realize that attention deficit hyperactive disorders are developmental disabilities. Crossman et al. (2020) describe developmental disabilities as a group of health conditions defined as physical, learning, language, and behavior delays. The example list began with learning difficulties and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders.
Causes of ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with several subtypes, including inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive. Núñez-Jaramillo et al. (2021) discuss that most studies of ADHD focus on children from age 7- to seventeen, but research has shown it can be a lifelong problem lasting into adulthood. The researchers continue to discuss the increase in adults with ADHD in the last couple of decades. The difference is in the research. Until about 20 years ago, ADHD was thought to occur in childhood, and children would grow out of it. However, recent research has shown that 76 % of people who have ADHD as children continue to have ADHD into adulthood.
Nunez-Jaramillo et al. (2021) explain that the causes of ADHD vary among genetic factors and issues during pregnancy and birth. Premature birth may be an essential factor in why a child has ADHD. Research has shown that 2.4–4 cases of ADHD are found in low-birth-weight babies. Premature birth is linked to changes in developing neurons and neurological cell death. Changes to the newly developing brain can be related to reduced cortical development. Inflammation is also associated with neurological changes in the brain's development.
Nunez-Jaramillo et al. (2021) also discuss nutrition during pregnancy and the embryos' developing brains. During neural development, maternal intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid helps increase neural development and the differentiation of progenitor cells, which differentiate into specific cells. There seem to be many other substances the embryo is exposed to or not subjected to that may result in ADHD.
Penfold (2021) notes that the causes of ADHD are not fully understood but agrees that there is a substantial genetic part, and premature birth is also a significant factor. In addition, ADHD is a continuum as to the severity of a child’s symptoms.
Leitch et al. (2019) completed a qualitative research study of Australian parental stress while raising a child with ADHD. The parents described tremendous pressure with children’s uncontrollable outbursts and tantrums. They ignored their parents’ requests to follow directions, prepared to leave the house, were absentminded, and had low self-esteem issues because of ADHD. In addition to the children’s behavior, parents found themselves hypervigilant, waiting for the next disaster.
While Gershy et al. (2018) reviewed studies that describe the negative impact of negative, hostile, and inconsistent parenting, which intensifies parental stress and worsens a child’s Adhd Gershy, et al. (2018) studied parents of children with ADHD who could regulate their emotions and reflect on mental states, or mentalization. Experience parenting a child with Adhd. A parent’s ability to control emotions and respond sensitively to a child’s distress may meet their needs. In addition, parents with a high capacity for mentalization may better understand children’s behaviors in the context of their neurodevelopmental difficulties.
Impact of an ADHD Child on a Typical Sibling in the Family
Peasgood T. et al. (2016) studied 540 families in the United Kingdom to research a child’s well-being with ADHD and their siblings. Siblings reported a low level of happiness in their families. In addition, siblings said they have an elevated level of being bullied and bullying others. The siblings also took their belongings and explained that they often called them names. In a smaller study by King et al. (2016), the focus was on how typical siblings saw the effect the child with Adhd had on the family. One of the most substantial outcomes was that the child with Adhd got more attention than their typical sibling. However, there was a feeling that the typical sibling did not get enough attention when needed.
Due to the lack of attention when the typical sibling needed attention, the theme of rejection from the parents appeared. Another topic that arose for the typical siblings was the contradiction in how typical siblings felt a noteworthy difference in how they were being treated. The parents often would not listen to the typical sibling. Instead, the siblings felt the parents would justify their behavior, resulting in anger and frustration for the typical sibling.
Support for the Family
Support for parents and siblings is needed to improve the quality of life for everyone in the family. Some supports that can be helpful include:
1 Parenting classes that can help parents deal with the ADHD child's behavior.
2. Parents need respite workers so they can give them a break to take time for themselves and feel refreshed.
3. Parents need respite workers to spend time with typical siblings so they get some attention from their parents.
4. Siblings attending group therapy to help them cope better.
Unfortunately, the family receives little help. More research and resources are needed to provide more support for the family.
References
Dougherty, C. C., Evans, D. W., Myers, S. M., Moore, G. J., & Michael, A. M. (2016). Structural brain imaging findings in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are compared. Neuropsychology Review, 26(1), 25–43.
Gershy, N., Gray, S. (2018). Parental Emotion Regulation and Mentalization in Families of Children with ADHD Journal of Attention Disorders 24(14):108705471876248 DOI: 10.1177/1087054718762486
King, K., Alexander, D., & Seabi, J. (2016). Siblings’ Perceptions of Their ADHD-Diagnosed Sibling’s Impact on the Family System. International journal of environmental research and public health, 13(9), 910. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13090910
Leitch, S., Sciberras, E., Post, E., Gerner, B., Rinehart, N., Nicholson & Evans (2019) Experience of stress in parents of children with ADHD: A qualitative study, International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health, and Well-being, 14:1, DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2019.1690091
Lukito, S., Norman, L., Carlisi, C., Radua, J., Hart, H., Simonoff, E., & Rubia, K. (2020). Comparative meta-analyses of brain structural and functional abnormalities during cognitive control in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and an autism spectrum disorder. Psychological medicine, 50(6), 894–919.
Núñez-jaramillo, l., Herrera SolÃs, a., & Herrera Morales, w. v. (2021). Add: reviewing the causes and evaluating solutions — Journal of personalized medicine, 11(3), 166
Peasgood, T., Bhardwaj, A., Biggs, K., Brazier, J., Coghill, D., Cooper, C., Daley, D., Silva, C., Harpin, V., Hodgkins, P., Nadkarni, A., Setyawan, J., & Sonuga-Barke, E. (2016). The impact of ADHD on the health and well-being of ADHD children and their siblings. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 25(11), 1217–1231. https://doorg.csu.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s00787-016-0841-6
Attention deficit disorder