Just came across your post - diagnosed at 61? - wow that is impressive! I am ten years or so younger than you but I am beginning to wonder if I have ADHD too. I have done the online tests and score very highly on them and, like you, sometimes make some poor, irrational and haphazard judgements! I also find I can become obsessed with something to the exclusion of all else, or that I cannot make any decisions at all then will suddenly make a snap (and invariably wrong) one!

As to your question - I think there may be some familial link but I could not say for sure if it is genetic. It would make sense though that Bipolarity, at least, might be genetic as it has something to do with brain chemistry.

Both of these disorders have genetic components to them. They are, also, comorbid diagnoses - many people present with both disorders. Both of these are prefrontal cortex disorders, the area of the brain that is right behind the forehead. This is where our impulse control and our emotional center is. Now you can see why you are impulsive and do some risky things like speeding.

We all pass on genes that we wish we didn't. My husband and I are a terrible genetic pool but who knew. Best of luck to you and your kids

How does one know when something is impulsive or not...?

Impulsive behavior is behavior that is spontaneous, with little or no thought about the consequences of what you are doing. This can lead to someone doing something that gets them in trouble. Children that are impulsive in class will just stand up and walk around the room. This is disruptive to other children. The child did not think of that. More serious behaviors are doing something that is risky and not thinking about the fact that you could get hurt - climbing out of a window and standing on the roof or on a ledge. Impulsive people get an idea and then do it. There is no hesitation, no thought. Hope this helped.