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Does ADHD affect your intelligence?

12 Answers
Last Updated: 04/23/2022 at 10:36pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous - Expert in ADHD
May 9th, 2018 10:26am
It doesnt affect the intelligence itself. What it does effect though is your ability to use your intelligence. If you cant concentrate on a task you might not be able to complete it, even though intelligence-wise you would be able to.
GinaBrianna101
August 29th, 2016 2:48am
I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 2 years old after getting the chicken pox vaccination, all my life I was scared of people making fun of me because of being considered ESE which is another way of saying special needs. To correctly answer the question; no it does not effect ones intelligence but only makes it a bit harder to put full focus on the task at hand. If you are ADHD and would like some more information please contact me as I have had it many years.
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2018 6:53pm
No it does not, it affects concentration, focus and many other areas but intelligence is most certainly not one of them. This comes from a person who suffers with this.
SweetNori
August 30th, 2016 8:39am
I don't believe there is a relationship. However, many people with ADHD find it hard to focus in school, which can make it appear that they are not as 'smart' as others.
EmmaKay22
July 8th, 2019 3:44pm
I believe everyone is on an invisible spectrum. However, those lower on the spectrum can be affected by ADHD the same as those on the higher level of the spectrum. It’s just a different way of perceiving information. Medication can has some benefits to help the symptoms. It can also relieve the negative effects in a classroom setting. Although, a doctor should always either diagnose and prescribe in these situations. The mind is a tricky thing and sometimes we just need to find the right balance in order to function the way we desire. Yet, in my opinion, intelligence and ADHD are two separate categories that do have a hand in hand relationship.
ouiCherie
May 28th, 2021 7:44am
No. ADHD itself doesn't affect intelligence. ADHD is about neurologically difference particularly in part of the brain that is known as Executive Functioning which responsible for self-management. This make someone who is born with ADHD can be disorganized, difficult to focus on something, zoning out a lot, forgetful, etc. Which may lead to difficulty in learning and may seen as "not smart" if the person can not or has not found strategies or skill built to tackle the issue. On the other hand, people with ADHD can be seen as very smart and creative, as ADHD also make the person have ability to hyper focus on a subject and tendency to think out of the box. So, again, No. ADHD itself doesn't make one become smarter or more stupid. In other words, intelligence and IQ do not counteract ADHD.
endearingLion70
- Expert in ADHD
May 1st, 2018 11:57am
It does not but it might impair you effectiveness of performing different tasks that rely on concentration and systematic execution of learning tasks.
Fruitbowl95
October 17th, 2019 6:44pm
ADHD, (or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), does not in any way affect how intelligent you are. It does, however, affect your ability to do several tasks, such as: a) being able to concentrate on increasing the amount of knowledge that you have; b) being able to use the knowledge that you do have to complete tasks even though it would be deemed intelligent to complete said task; c) being able to effectively complete a task or tasks without getting distracted by something unrelated to what you need to do at that particular moment.
Anonymous
May 19th, 2020 4:29pm
It depends on how you define intelligence. But usually, no it does not, although ADHD affects the way you pay attention you are still you. I am an aspiring physicist with ADHD, I've got some bad grades in the past due to lack of focus in class and in the exam but overall physics is still a fun and easy topic for me because I enjoy it. If I wasn't intelligent I'm not sure what kind of person I would be. Everyone is intelligent in their own way. It is normal and completely okay the think like this often I know I do
AdventurousSpirit123
June 12th, 2021 10:47pm
No. ADHD primarily affects the executive functioning of the brain. It often shows up as difficulty organizing and prioritizing tasks, challenges in our relationship with time (e.g., being on time, sensing the passing of time, estimating how long something will take), working memory (forgetting names, details, instructions), and ineffective impulse control. This last one often gets stereotyped as being fidgety, unable to sit still, and running around. But as adults, it often looks more like impulse buying, reacting emotionally, excessive risk-taking. ADHD does not negatively affect a person's intelligence. However, our chronic difficulties with executive functioning may lead others to question our intelligence due to their perception that we are unable to do basic things that our society teaches us that smart people do (e.g., be on time, complete tasks, sit still and pay attention, or respond as expected in interactions). Managing our image among our peers can be challenging. Continually comparing ourselves to our neurotypical peers can create shame and discouragement. None of this is any reflection on our intelligence. And one of the most intelligent things we can do is to figure out habits, structures, routines, ideal situations, etc. that work for us. People with ADHD can, and often do, succeed, but we need to play to our strengths and provide supports for our weaknesses.
CompassionCake
December 22nd, 2020 12:49pm
ADHD doesn't affect your intelligence, but it can affect the way you can use your intelligence. You can have a high IQ and still struggle with executive function, task planning, short-term memory, motivation, and focus. It's very common for people with ADHD to have low self-esteem because they feel they aren't "smart" but that just isn't true. The troubles people with ADHD face are a reflection of the way our brains work differently, not our intelligence. Many people who find that they feel "stupid" at school or at work are actually struggling to put their intelligence to use in an environment that's not optimal for a dopamine-deficient ADHD brain. With accommodations and treatment (behavioral or medication), people with ADHD can function on the same level as everyone else.
MarissaHope
April 23rd, 2022 10:36pm
Definitely not!! Albert Einstein, had adhd, and he was the smarts person. Adhd people just think faster then most people, which can be a good thing because you can get things done faster. Again, having adhd doesn’t effect your intelligence. Many people have different opinions but it all comes back to the fact adhd means attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Where your mind just wants to keep thinking and moving. Adhd can be a gift, and some of the smarter people have it. Don’t ever be ashamed for having adhd or ADD. It’s not something you can control but something you can embrace