Test Parents of ADHD Kids, Too Jan. 8, 2004 -- When it comes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. More than 20 studies already confirm that ADHD can be inherited, affecting parent, child, and even cousins and other extended family members.

But a new study indicates just how strong the family tradition may be and could help explain -- and predict -- other mental health and behavior problems affecting families.

Researchers find that parents of children with ADHD -- and in particular, mothers -- are 24 times more likely to have the condition themselves compared with parents whose kids don't have the disorder. What's more, when the ADHD child is also defiant, oppositional, or has serious conduct problems, their parents are up to five times more prone to other behavior and mood problems compared with adults whose kids haven't been diagnosed with ADHD.

"We weren't really surprised by the strong family tendency of ADHD, but what we thought was really interesting was the high rates of other disorders among parents of young children with ADHD," says lead researcher and psychologist Andrea Chronis, PhD, director of the University of Maryland ADHD Program.

"When a child has pure ADHD, the only thing the parents are more prone to is ADHD," she tells WebMD. "But when the child also has conduct or oppositional disorders, you really see a strong pattern of past and current mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and other problems in their parents."

Her study, published in the December 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is the latest venture in a 10-year research project tracking the development of 98 children diagnosed with ADHD during preschool and comparing it with 116 non-ADHD kids. But by now looking into the parents' histories, Chronis says she hopes her research may help lead to better understanding -- and prediction -- of continued patterns of ADHD symptoms in family members, as well as future depression and other mental health issues.

"Based on our research, it's clear we need to treat the whole family, not just the child. Too often the answer is to give the children drugs. When there are problems in the family, you need to address those, too."