Why ADHD Traits Were Useful for Most of Human History
ADHD is often talked about as if it’s purely a modern problem—something that makes it harder to function in school, work, and everyday life. And while ADHD traits can absolutely create challenges in today’s world, some researchers believe those same traits may have been beneficial for much of human history. Looking at ADHD through an evolutionary lens can help explain why these traits exist in the first place—and why they may have helped humans survive for hundreds of thousands of years.
ADHD traits like exploration and novelty-seeking may have helped humans survive for most of history — Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW.
The Berry Foraging Study
*Quick-Pit-Stop-For-Research-Cuz-It’s-Super-Relevant-I-Swear*
In a study, researchers had participants play an online foraging game where they had to collect virtual berries from virtual bushes (ah, if our hunter-gatherer ancestors could see us now). Participants were instructed to hover their cursors over the bushes to collect the berries, which would yield less berries as time went on.
Participants with ADHD symptoms spent less time lingering on the bushes with declining yields. They were quicker to move on and seek their fortune in the next virtual bush— even though moving to the next bush meant they would have to pause their berry picking efforts for a brief time out. They were willing to take the risk when they sensed a diminishing return. And it worked!
At the end of the study, participants with ADHD had collected significantly more virtual berries than their neurotypical counterparts.
What Does This Mean for ADHD?
What does this mean for you?
It means that ADHD traits are difficult in the modern world, but are part of the human species for a reason.
They helped us survive and are not inherent flaws. Remember, we have only been dwelling in the linear-machine-oriented world for about 300 years. That’s it! Before that, Homo sapiens were hunter-gatherers for about 200,000 years (not to mention the hunter-gatherer Homo genus ancestors that Homo sapiens descended from 2.8 million years before that). That’s a huge period of time where ADHD traits were not a deficit in the way they are now.
ADHD Traits in Human Evolution
The same ADHD traits that are out of sync with the modern world were probably well suited for survival for most of human history.
Understanding ADHD in this way doesn’t magically make the challenges disappear—but it can change the story many people carry about themselves. Instead of seeing ADHD traits as purely deficits, it can be helpful to remember that they are part of the range of human variation that has existed for a very long time. In the right environment, the same traits that feel frustrating today may once have been exactly what helped humans adapt, explore, and survive.
Want to learn more about working with a therapist who understands ADHD? Learn more about my ADHD therapy in San Francisco and California here.
If you have ADHD, it can help to work with someone who understands how your brain works. Therapy can help you build systems that actually fit your attention style instead of constantly fighting against it.
Reach out today to get started.
The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment that can be provided by your own mental health practitioner. If you have any specific concerns about your mental health, you should consult your doctor and you should not delay seeking medical advice, or treatment for your mental health, because of information on this blog.
Megan Y. Bruce
Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW is a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, anxiety and ADHD. She is based in downtown San Francisco and sees clients in-person and virtually throughout California.
