Numerous studies have confirmed that ADHD indeed has a genetic basis, which is worrisome for parents who recognize the symptoms from their childhood experiences. As a result, many companies capitalize on this information by offering home DNA tests for various inherited conditions, including bipolar disorder and ADHD. Can a home DNA test predict the onset of ADHD in your child? How useful can such a test be?
Most pediatricians and psychiatrists diagnose ADHD based on a series of criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). According to the DSM-IV, there are three types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type. But did you know that there are more than three types of ADHD?
Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen has handled hundreds of children and adults with ADHD and developed a special brain imaging technique called the SPECT test to help him find the cause of the condition. His work on SPECT imaging made him realize the full complexity of the disorder. Over the years, he noticed that there are six distinct SPECT patterns in his ADHD patients, and that each requires a specialized treatment. Based on these observations, Dr. Amen came up with the six types of ADHD.