Are People With ADHD Smarter? Exploring Facts And Myths
You’ve likely heard of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD. As society has shifted to have a greater emphasis on mental health, there has generally been more talk of ADHD on social media and across the web. However, along with the positives that can come with increased exposure, misconceptions also tend to arise. One misconception about individuals with ADHD may be that they are less intelligent than those who don’t have this disorder. However, ADHD doesn’t appear to have any correlation with intelligence, and most individuals with ADHD have an average IQ. If you believe you may be living with ADHD and would like to speak to a mental health professional about any questions or potential misconceptions you have, an online therapy platform can offer a convenient way to do so.
What is ADHD?
ADHD can be defined as a neurological condition affecting one’s brain and nervous system. The symptoms at the core of ADHD are usually inattention, hyperactive behavior, and impulsivity. These can manifest in a multitude of ways that can have a detrimental effect on the executive functioning of children and adults with ADHD. People with this disorder often notice the symptoms in childhood, but in many cases, ADHD is not properly diagnosed until adulthood.
Symptoms of ADHD: Cognitive issues, lack of focus, and more
Some symptoms of ADHD can include the following:
- Restlessness
- Inability to focus on or complete tasks
- Difficulty adhering to schedules or deadlines
- Co-occurrence with other disorders, such as mood and sleep disorders
- Impulsive behavior
- Forgetfulness
It can be important to seek professional insight if you suspect you may fit the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Are people with ADHD smarter?
One of the potential misconceptions surrounding ADHD may be that those who experience this condition are less intelligent than those without the disorder. Your intelligence quotient, or “IQ,” can be measured by an evaluation called an IQ test.
The ADHD brain, executive function, and intelligence
One cause of the misconception regarding ADHD and low intelligence may be ADHD’s common co-occurrence with learning disorders, as well as the condition’s impact on an individual’s executive functioning. One’s executive function typically relates to their memory, decision-making skills, and ability to control themselves. It can be thought of as one’s ability to complete tasks and attain goals in their daily lives.
Due to common ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness, impulsivity, impatience, hyperactivity, and more, those with ADHD tend to have diminished executive functioning skills in comparison to those without ADHD.
However, it can be important to remember that executive function generally has nothing to do with one’s intelligence level. A Cambridge study once noted that high-IQ adults with ADHD tended to have worse executive functioning skills than high-IQ adults who do not have ADHD, although updated evidence may be needed.
ADHD facts vs. myths
We are currently living in what is commonly referred to as the “information age.” As more of a light is shined on ADHD and mental health in general, we may also need to assess the misconceptions and misinformation that can stand in the way of those with ADHD getting the help they deserve.
ADHD myths: Are people with ADHD smarter?
It can be important to distinguish the facts of ADHD from the many myths that continue to persist. Here are some of the myths that tend to surround ADHD:
Myth: ADHD does not exist.
Fact: ADHD has been heavily studied since it was initially discovered in 1798. It can be especially dangerous for parents to hold the belief that ADHD is not real because this can prevent their child from receiving treatment.
Myth: ADHD is something children will eventually grow out of.
Fact: ADHD usually persists well into adulthood for most who are diagnosed during childhood. Adults with ADHD often experience co-occurring conditions as they grow older, such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Myth: ADHD is over-diagnosed (It’s just creativity).
Fact: While it can be common to hear people make flippant claims, such as “It seems like everyone has ADHD these days,” this may not be factual. While it may be true that the rate of ADHD diagnosis has increased, the condition has largely been and continues to be underdiagnosed. The increase in diagnosis likely means those with ADHD are receiving necessary support.
Myth: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the result of bad parenting skills.
Fact: The research shows that hereditary factors, such as genetics and neurological factors, are usually the main causes of ADHD. Part of the stigma surrounding ADHD can be the misconception that parents of children with ADHD simply let them “run wild,” which is not necessarily the case.
How therapy can help
Therapy can be a great resource for those with ADHD. In behavioral therapy, you’ll generally work with a licensed mental health professional who uses research-backed methods to help you address symptoms and challenges associated with ADHD. A licensed professional can also help you separate ADHD myths from the facts so you can gain a fuller understanding of your diagnosis.
Since those with ADHD can have trouble adhering to schedules and deadlines, online therapy may be a useful alternative, since it can often allow for more flexibility and customization of the therapy process. Those with ADHD can attend online therapy sessions from the location of their choice and choose between video call, phone call, and online chat for each session.
Effectiveness of online therapy
A large body of research suggests that online therapy tends to produce the same client outcomes as in-person therapy. A 2022 study evaluating the efficacy of online therapy for ADHD found that many participants experienced improvements in social function and attention deficit.
Takeaway
Are people with ADHD smarter and born with creativity?
Here’s some evidence of linkages between high IQ, creativity, and ADHD:
ADHD and intelligence quotient (IQ): On average, people with ADHD score approximately 9 points lower on IQ tests, though there are also many high-IQ adults with ADHD. However, IQ tests don’t necessarily accurately measure intellectual abilities, and some people with ADHD may find that executive function impairments hinder formal IQ testing.
ADHD and creativity: Some findings suggest that the ADHD population experiences, on average, a greater number of original thoughts and higher creativity. Some people attribute these higher levels of creativity to things like impulsiveness, the ability to hyperfocus, divergent thinking (as opposed to convergent thinking), and lower inhibition. Neuroscientists have discovered some shared mechanisms in the brain between ADHD and creativity, which may also explain this association.
There is some evidence to suggest that, on average, people with ADHD score slightly lower on standardized IQ tests but display higher levels of creativity. Though these findings may apply to ADHD populations overall, there are many individual differences.
Do people with high brain IQ have attention deficit hyperactivity?
ADHD symptoms affect people across the IQ spectrum, including high-IQ people. Regardless of whether someone with ADHD is from high or low IQ groups, they often experience functional impairments in social, educational, and professional settings.
For high-IQ individuals with ADHD, it can be confusing to experience a neurodevelopmental disorder that puts them behind in social and emotional functioning, yet ahead of their peers on academic achievement. These social difficulties can lead to low self-esteem and other challenges. A high-functioning professional with ADHD may appear to function better than they are by disguising emotional challenges.
Do people with ADHD have high intelligence and cognitive focus?
People with ADHD, like the rest of the population, can have a wide range of cognitive abilities. However, having a high IQ does not mean someone can “overpower” ADHD. High-IQ adults with ADHD also struggle with hyperactive behavior, behavioral problems, and everyday tasks. According to one study, people with high IQ and ADHD experience more cognitive dysfunction compared to other high IQ people without ADHD, though the study results were inconclusive because there were no other control groups included.
Are people with ADHD smarter and more gifted?
People with ADHD, on average, perform slightly below average on IQ tests. However, people with ADHD fall across the intelligence and cognitive ability spectrum.
People with high intelligence, cognitive abilities, or talents that are above average for their age are often considered “gifted.” ADHD and “giftedness” may have some overlap because they can demonstrate some overlapping common symptoms.
Do people with ADHD have high focus and creativity?
Key cognitive phenotypes of ADHD include hyperfocus and divergent thinking, which can improve creativity:
Hyperfocus: Hyperfocus, or “tunnel vision,” refers to an intense fixation, prolonged concentration, and heightened productivity. Many people with ADHD experience this type of high focus, which may result from an imbalance in dopamine and norepinephrine levels.
Divergent thinking: Many people with ADHD experience a high degree of divergent thinking, or the ability to think about multiple ideas and solutions to a single challenge. This type of thinking is central to a person's ability to think creatively.
People with ADHD often experience cognitive process difficulties that impact education, personal life, and professional functioning. However, many people with ADHD benefit from unique strengths, like the ability to come up with creative solutions and focus deeply on work they’re passionate about.
Are people with ADHD born with intelligence and good cognitive functions?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive impairment that impacts areas like executive functioning, memory, and attention. By definition, people with ADHD have challenges with cognitive functions, and they may fall anywhere on the spectrum of intelligence. Though ADHD and learning disabilities are different, they can co-occur and further interfere with cognitive functioning.
To accurately diagnose ADHD, children aged 16 or younger must display six or more symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, or inattention (those aged 17 or older must experience five or more symptoms).
What does ADHD do to the brain?
ADHD has significant impacts on the brain, including differences in neural networks, brain connectivity, and alterations to the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. For example, the frontal lobe of the brain helps control impulses and regulate emotions. It’s significantly impacted by ADHD, leading to impairments in decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation.
At what age is ADHD at its peak?
ADHD symptoms can change over time, but compared to control groups, people with ADHD typically experience the greatest impact on school performance and mental health during teenage years, when school and social pressure tend to be higher and time management problems cause more challenges.
For treatment naïve adults with ADHD, or adults who have not been prescribed stimulant medications or tried other techniques to manage symptoms, symptoms may continue to be severely disruptive to daily life and functioning.
How to tell if someone with ADHD likes you?
People with ADHD may experience developmental delays in social skills and emotional intelligence. Possible symptoms of the disorder, like forgetfulness, impulsiveness, low tolerance, interrupting others, heightened emotional reactivity, and difficulty with verbal expressions can make it more difficult to tell if they like you.
It can be helpful to learn more about ADHD and their communication style. For example, people with ADHD may show intense interest or hyperfixation on people they’re interested in. If you think the person might like you, consider having an open discussion with them to share your feelings and ask about theirs.
Do I have ADHD or am I just lazy?
ADHD is not the same thing as laziness:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): ADHD is a common form of neurodevelopmental disorder (not a mental illness) characterized by things like difficulty focusing, impulsivity and higher tolerance to risk-taking, time management issues, slower processing speed than peers, and social impairment. People with ADHD experience these challenges regardless of the effort they put in, and they often experience low self-esteem or mental health challenges when they perform poorly.
Laziness: Laziness refers to a lack of regard or willingness to put in the effort, even though they could. It generally doesn’t lead to guilt or self-esteem challenges.
Though ADHD and laziness may look similar to outside observers, they are different. ADHD is a neurodevelopment disorder that impacts people even when they try hard, whereas laziness refers to an unwillingness to do something. Approximately, 15.5% of the U.S. population is thought to have ADHD, according to one population-based study.
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