In the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry last year, researchers reported that there is a strong genetic component to ADHD.

The study compared 25 adopted and 101 non-adopted children with ADHD as well as 50 non-ADHD children (control group). The ages studied ranged from 5-18 years old. In all groups, they also looked at their 1^st degree relatives (parents, siblings).

The results were as follows:

Adoptive parents and their children ADHD rate: 6%, 8%

Control group parents and their children: 3%, 6%

Biological parents of ADHD children: 18%

Biological siblings of ADHD children: 31%

Further, biological parents of children with ADHD had increased rates of:

Severe major depression

Overanxious disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder

Adoptive parents did not have an increased prevalence of these problems.

Without the Lord, the above information can be cause for depression, thoughts of predestination, and excuses for bad behavior. But with the Lord, this information is power. Power to plan, prepare, and pray. With the Lord, information allows us to be honest with Him about the way we are. This allows Him to use us for His purposes, for our better good -- despite our "drawbacks," like ADHD.

The truth is ADHD is a family issue. It can be difficult to live and deal with, but not impossible. Nowadays with behavioral management, family counseling, and +/- medication it does not need to be a curse.

The good thing about this article is that it validates that ADHD is REAL. It is biological, neurological -- it's real. As real as a diabetic needing insulin, is the need for an ADHD patient needing intervention. The good thing about current medicine is not only do we know it is real, but we know how to treat it.

I don't want to dwell on treatment, perhaps better covered in a future newsletter, but I do want to dwell on the God part of ADHD; the forgotten part of ADHD.

Is God in ADHD, sure He is because He made you, your genes. If you look at certain people in the Bible, you can be sure they had a form of ADHD. Take Daniel for instance. He certainly had the oppositional defiance of ADHD towards authority in his response to Nebuchadnezzar. How about David? Only an individual with a form of ADHD could keep so many wars organized, build up his nation and people, and still have time for worship and prayer. A modern day example is General Macarthur from WWII. In these people, ADHD was an asset because God was using it.

The Lord overcomes our shortcomings; the Bible is full of this theme, Moses' speech, Jeremiah's reluctance, Paul's murderous passion. First though, we must come face-to face with Him, admit these shortcomings, and then watch Him use them to bring about incredible good.

Since ADHD is generational, pass down the good the Lord shows you from it and work with professionals to treat its negative attributes. Remembering, lumps of clay are always amazing in the master's hands.