ADHD and Overprotective Parenting

October is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) awareness month, a condition that researchers still do not know precisely what causes it, but that presents an upward trend in the number of diagnosed children. 

ADHD is a brain-based disorder that causes higher levels of inattention and impulsivity. It affects the executive function, altering the ability to organize, plan, and manage thoughts and actions. Studies indicate that it has a genetic cause—meaning it runs in families—and results from those genes’ interactions with the environment.

Several studies show a connection between an overprotective parenting style and anxiety and hyperactivity in children. However, it is not easy to identify if an overprotective parenting style caused ADHD or if an ADHD diagnosis provoked the overprotection.

The behavioral and emotional challenges presented by ADHD-diagnosed children require parents to learn a set of unique skills needed to be able to teach their children tools to navigate life. However, very often, parents raising children with ADHD feel judged.

If your child or another family member has ADHD, remember to:

• Maintain open communication and practice active listening.
• Keep consistent routines and structure.
• Have realistic expectations and avoid comparisons.
• Identify supporting community resources.
• “Drop the hero cape” and practice self-care. 

Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General released an “Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents” to highlight the increasing levels of stress experienced by parents these days: “In addition to the traditional challenges of parenting—protecting children from harm, worrying about finances, managing teenagers who are searching for independence—there are new stressors that previous generations didn’t have to consider. These include the complexity of managing social media, parents’ concerns about the youth mental health crisis, and an epidemic of loneliness that disproportionately affects young people and parents, just to name a few.”

Regardless of whether a child has a medical diagnosis or not, today, parents face challenges and society’s changes that may easily incline them to be overprotective, which is harmful to the child’s development and well-being. 

Today, pause and assess where you are in your parenting journey. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are experiencing stress and insecurities that are turning you into an overprotective parent, seek help.