There are lots of numbers out there that kind of give insight into the different facets of ADHD. The current accepted statistic is that 10 to 20 percent of the general population has ADHD in one of its three main subtypes, though many argue.
The so called ADHD Institute says that it is 5% of children and 2.5% of adults, but many researchers feel that adult ADHD is closer to the same prevalence as childhood ADHD, and has just been under-diagnosed because of the mistaken thought that ADHD is remedial in later years.
There must be subtype numbers.
But I’ve yet to hear what the percentages are for each subtype. I personally suspect that the combined subtype is doing much better than the 33% you’d think it should claim.
Then there’s that number
Yep, there’s the number fifty. That’s a pretty big one.
And it’s the one I’m really wanting to discuss in this article.
Fifty what?
Are you sitting down? Here it is.
If you have ADHD, and you become a parent, there’s a fifty percent chance your child will also have ADHD. And that’s somewhere between 30% and 45% greater than the occurrence rate in the general population.
And knowing this means …
You have to take this statistic into consideration when you decide whether or not to have a family.
Are you comfortable with the way ADHD is diagnosed, treated, accepted?
Are you comfortable enough with this that you are willing and prepared to assist a new life, or several of them in coping and dealing with the effects of ADHD?
Statistically speaking
We don’t take this under consideration.
In fact, statistically speaking we don’t so much plan families as we just have them.
And maybe that’s something to think about now, before you do have a family.
Of course …
Maybe you already have a family and you did or didn’t consider all of this.
And maybe you do or do not want to admit to that consideration or lack thereof.
And maybe that doesn’t really matter.
I’ve always said …
We start from here and move forward. So if you did or didn’t doesn’t matter.
What matters is what you do from this point onward. So if you might be in a position to have a family, consider these numbers when you are deciding.
And if you have a family already, then do yourself and them a favor and talk to them about these things.
And don’t get me wrong
I’m not saying don’t have a family. I’m saying be prepared for the task ahead.
I’m thriving and doing well in my opinion, so I feel like anyone could do it.
But if you’re planning on having children, be prepared to help them find their own way to thrive and do well themselves.
Pass on the skills, and make sure they’re prepared to do the same.