Impact of AD/HD on Child & Parents

To grasp the importance of treating children who have ADHD, one can look at the impact of the disorder on the child. About 25% of these children also have learning disabilities. They are more likely to start abusing substances, like alcohol, illegal drugs, and nicotine in their teens. They are more likely to drop out of school and less likely to have a satisfying career later in life. They often either may have or develop other disorders later, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Since these children are more aggressive, disruptive, domineering, intrusive, and noisy, about half of these children will have significant interpersonal problems with siblings or classmates.

Parents of those with AD/HD also suffer in many ways, including having more parenting-related stress, feeling more incompetent as parents, and having lower self-esteem. These parents are more likely to argue with their partners, separate, and divorce. To relieve some of the stress and blame, it would be helpful to review what probably does not cause AD/HD and what seems to cause it.