Modern society may feel restrictive and too structured for people with ADHD. But what does the research say about how people lived with ADHD in the ancient past?
For people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it may sometimes feel like the structure of what’s often described as “civilized society” is too rigid and sedentary. This can be especially true for those who find it difficult to pay attention, manage impulses, or sit still for long.
That may beg the question: Did earlier humans have it any better? Did those with ADHD have more freedom to wander the earth, hunting and gathering?
In research going back decades, some researchers have studied this issue and identified ancient humans who displayed ADHD traits.
A 2024 study suggested that people with ADHD-like behaviors were more skilled at foraging, and those skills allowed them to be adaptive in places they needed to find food and move around.
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Among their findings from looking at older studies, the researchers indicated that nomadic people who had to hunt for food and displayed ADHD-like symptoms appeared to be better nourished than those without.
Unpredictable behavior is recognized as a key ADHD characteristic, which might have helped protect our ancestors against livestock raids, robberies, and other threats.
In evolutionary terms, hunter-gatherers were generalists, in that they needed to know how to do a little bit of everything to survive, which required flexibility and adaptability.
That is often how ADHD people are described, given their various interests and different focuses and attention spans on specific items.
ADHD was originally referred to as hyperkinetic impulse disorder. The disorder was first mentioned in 1902 by British pediatrician Sir George Still, who called it “an immoral defect of moral control in children.”
It wasn’t until 1968 that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) formally recognized hyperkinetic impulse disorder as a mental disorder in the second edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-2).
Since then, it’s become known as ADHD, and multiple types have been defined.
ADHD types
In 2000, DSM-4 established three types of ADHD:
- Predominantly inattentive type: This type primarily involves symptoms of inattention or distraction.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: This type mostly involves symptoms like difficulty sitting still or talkativeness.
- Combined type: This type indicates six or more symptoms of each ADHD type.
Find out more about the current medical diagnosis and treatment for people with ADHD.
ADHD was first included in a revised edition of the APA’s DSM-3 in 1987. The disorder had previously been referred to as ADD (attention deficit disorder), and before 1980, it was known as hyperkinetic impulse disorder.
In 1997, the first national survey asking parents about ADHD was completed. Since then, there has been an increase in parent-reported ADHD diagnoses.
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The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but research shows that the brains of people with this disorder may be structured differently than the brains of those who don’t have it.
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Widespread areas of the brains of the participants with ADHD were also smaller in shape. This included the frontal lobe, which is involved in actions like impulse control and concentration.
People who have ADHD may also have low levels of dopamine due to a higher level of dopamine transporters. Dopamine is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that affects the brain’s reward centers and helps to regulate emotions.
Some people may consider ADHD beneficial, both in terms of the
- Spontaneity: Some people with ADHD may be impulsive, which can be channeled into spontaneity. For example, you may be more willing to try new things.
- Curiosity: Being naturally inquisitive and open to new experiences may give you deeper insights into life.
- Hyperfocus: Sometimes, having ADHD means you can become hyperfocused on something like a work project that you’re passionate about, which allows you to finish it without breaking your concentration.
- Hyperactivity: If you have a high amount of energy, you may find success in burning it off in sports or by performing work or school activities.
- Innovation: Having ADHD may give you a different life perspective, which may lead to more creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
People with ADHD in modern times may face more strict and regulated lifestyles compared to early humans in ancient times who also had ADHD.
This mental health condition has evolved over millions of years, and people with ADHD may be able to use these symptoms and experiences in beneficial and positive ways. This can include more innovation, focus on certain activities, and unquenchable curiosity.