ADHD and Risk-Taking —A Bad Combination

Written By Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Curated by Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Note from curator: This study was of children with the combined type of ADHD, not inattentive ADHD although some children with the inattentive type can be impulsive and risk-takers on occasion.

A study of 5-10-year-old children (ADHD group, n=103; non-ADHD group, n=100) showed a significant correlation (p<0.001) between symptoms of ADHD and greater risk-taking and reduced sensitivity to punishment….

Symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity and increased risk-taking behavior, may lead to adults breaking societal rules and norms. Research has found that symptoms of ADHD in adults were associated with a higher incidence or risk of the following compared with people without ADHD:

  • Criminality and arrests

  • Substance abuse

  • Aggressive/reckless driving

  • Traffic violations

  • Suspension of driving license

  • Crash risk

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Cynthia Hammer, MSW

Cynthia Hammer, MSW, was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in 1992 when she was 49 years old. The following year she created the non-profit organization, ADD Resources, with a mission to educate adults and helping professionals about ADHD in adults. She ran the organization for 15 years before retiring.

During the Covid isolation she wrote a book about her life with inattentive ADHD which should be published by the end of this year. In writing the book, she was dismayed to learn that children with inattentive ADHD continue to be under-diagnosed and adults with inattentive ADHD often are incorrectly diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

She created a new non-profit in 2021, the Inattentive ADHD Coalition (www.iadhd.org), to create more awareness about inattentive ADHD and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

https://www.iadhd.org
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