Baggage Check: Stressing ADHD

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Dr. Andrea Bonior dives into the world of psychology.

AS THE SCHOOL year begins to wind down and thoughts of summer camp (or summer school) fill parents’ heads, there is often a disruption in the routine and structure that’s been established over the school year. This can be particularly difficult when a child has Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, with the adjustment to new boundaries, schedules and surroundings being particularly stressful.

So stressful, in fact, that new research suggests that parents of children with ADHD are almost twice as likely to divorce as other parents by the time the child is 8 years old.

Of course, this isn’t necessarily just because children with ADHD add to the strain in a marriage. Children with ADHD are more likely to have parents with ADHD, which might also give the marriages tougher odds. And it’s impossible yet to say if some additional variable increases both the risk of the child’s ADHD and the parents’ troubles.

The bottom line?

Whenever there are particularly difficult challenges with children, it’s important to give some extra attention to the parents’ relationship as well.