Why We Should Stop Looking for ADHD Genes

Jesse Meadows
10 min readNov 29, 2021

Genetic determinism will never liberate us.

triple exposure of a woman’s face with plastic wrap over it, colorful genes, and the DSM5 criteria for ADHD
Art by the author

“ADHD runs in families,” this WebMD article confidently states. “There are genetic characteristics that seem to be passed down.”

“Some research suggests genes are the largest factors in determining who develops ADHD. After all, genes are the building blocks for our bodies,” says this one from Healthline.

Jesse Meadows

writer + digital artist doing critical adhd studies + re-politicizing mental health | they/them