Is ADHD Genetic? Here’s What Science Says About Whether ADHD Is Hereditary

ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to learn, maintain attention, and control behavior. Around 6% of children ages 2 to 17 and nearly 3% of adults have ADHD. It can affect many areas of a person’s life, including work, school, home life, and relationships. 

There are a lot of myths about what causes ADHD. While scientists still don’t know exactly why some people develop ADHD, a lot of evidence shows that ADHD is genetic. But that doesn’t mean that everyone with ADHD inherited it from their parents. Other factors may play a role in whether a person develops ADHD and how severe their symptoms become. While you can’t prevent ADHD, understanding the genetics of ADHD can help you understand the condition and how to adjust to it in your daily life.  

Is ADHD genetic?

Yes. Genetics play a role in whether someone develops ADHD. 

Having a family history of ADHD can increase the chances that you or your child will also develop ADHD. Studies have found that you’re two to eight times more likely to have ADHD if you have a first-degree relative with the condition. And studies looking at adopted family members who are raised separately found a strong genetic link for ADHD. This means that ADHD can be inherited. 

But it’s not clear exactly which genes cause ADHD. This means scientists can’t say for sure that ADHD is a completely genetic condition. This may change as more research becomes available. 

Scientists are studying two specific genes — the dopamine transporter (DAT1) and the dopamine receptor 4 (DRD4) genes. They’re trying to learn more about how they play a role in whether people develop ADHD. These genes affect dopamine, which is a chemical associated with pleasure, attention, and motivation. 

People with ADHD appear to have different levels of dopamine in the brain when compared to people without ADHD. This is why stimulant medications that increase dopamine levels, like methylphenidate (Concerta and Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall), are often prescribed for people with ADHD. 

On the other hand, research on ADHD shows that there’s no single cause for why some people develop ADHD and others don’t. That makes it hard to say that ADHD is a completely genetic condition. Genes do play a role, but they may not be the entire story. 

Some people develop ADHD even when no one in their family has ADHD. This means it’s likely that environment and other risk factors can also play a role. So genetics are one factor that can contribute to ADHD, but they’re not the only explanation. Life experiences, diet, health, and exposure to certain substances and chemicals can also make it more likely someone will develop ADHD. 

What causes ADHD?

In addition to genetics, there are other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing ADHD. There are risk factors both before and after birth. 

Certain experiences or exposure to certain substances before birth can increase the risk of ADHD, including:

• High levels of maternal stress

• Large amounts of caffeine (from coffee, tea, soda, or energy drinks)

• Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin 

• Prescription medications, like the hypertension medication labetalol and the antidepressant bupropion

• Heavy metals and chemicals, including lead, organo-chlorine, organophosphate pesticides, and phthalates

Once a child is born, certain experiences or exposures to substances can also contribute to the risk of developing ADHD, including:

• Exposure to certain heavy metals, like lead and manganese

• Low levels of nutrients, like iron, zinc, and copper 

• A diet that includes refined sugars, high amounts of fat and sodium, and low amounts of fiber, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids

• Exposure to traumatic events during childhood

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that you or your child will definitely have ADHD. Instead, it means there’s a higher risk. But you may be able to reduce this risk by taking steps to avoid these exposures during pregnancy and when your child is born. 

Are people born with ADHD?

It depends. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. That means the brain develops and works differently in people with ADHD. These differences can be present when a person is born, or they may develop afterward.

ADHD can be genetic. If you inherit certain genes and develop ADHD, then it’s logical to say you are “born with” ADHD. But people who inherit ADHD might not have symptoms that are obvious right away. And these symptoms may not look the same as those of other family members.

If someone is exposed to chemicals or medications that are associated with ADHD and then develop ADHD, it’s also logical to say they were “born with ADHD” or at least born with the potential to develop ADHD. 

But some children develop ADHD as a result of conditions that develop after birth — like brain injuries or premature birth. These people aren’t born with ADHD but develop symptoms as a result of conditions that affect how the brain develops.  

How can you prevent passing ADHD to your child?

There’s no way to completely prevent your child from developing ADHD. But you can take steps to decrease the risk of ADHD in your children. These include actions you can take before and after your child is born. 

If you’re pregnant and concerned about the risk of your child developing ADHD, try to:

• Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and cocaine throughout your pregnancy.

• Limit your daily use of caffeine to 150 mg as recommended by the American Pregnancy Association.

• Only take prescription medications that your medical provider prescribes you, and be sure to let them know that you’re pregnant.

• Get adequate nutrition throughout your pregnancy. 

• Get tested and treated for gestational diabetes.

• Avoid exposure to chemicals and heavy metals.

• Limit your stress by regularly engaging in self-care and staying connected to your support system.

You may be concerned about your child’s risk of developing ADHD after they’re born. Research shows that some actions may help improve your child’s executive functioning skills. These are skills that help your child pay attention, organize and plan, and manage their feelings. 

The research is unclear on how much these actions can help, but some evidence suggests that they can improve your child’s skills in these areas and reduce the risk of ADHD:

• Get regular exercise.

• Avoid exposure to chemicals and heavy metals.

• Limit use of electronic devices.

• Maintain a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods and foods with refined sugars, preservatives, and other additives.

• Participate in attention and cognitive training programs.

• Participate in Early Intervention — a program that provides support for babies and young children with developmental delays — if young children start to show signs of ADHD or other developmental concerns.

If you’re concerned that your child may be showing signs of ADHD, don’t hesitate to speak to their pediatrician about your concerns. They can figure out whether your child may benefit from an evaluation and give you a referral to a neurologist, psychiatrist, or psychologist. 

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Written by:

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional with over 10 years of clinical experience.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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