QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I am a 49 year old male who was diagnosed with ADHD last year. My sister, 48 years old, has been institutionalized since her pre-teens because of schizophrenia. Is it biologically possible that I can have aspects of this organic brain defect that either cause or compound my ADHD?
Thanks.
ANSWER:
Schizophrenia has not been worked out yet. Many studies have been performed at NIMH on
identical twins where one has schizophrenia and the other doesn't. It's possible
schizophrenia is the result of an infection, but again no one knows for sure.
It's unlikely that you have any significant genetic process complicating your ADHD.
You could have many other diagnoses, however, that should also be treated. The
screening test should be very helpful to you.
