What Are the Benefits of ADHD?

By Becky Moody

When we as a society talk about ADHD, it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing only on the shortcomings. Conversations about ADHD mainly focus on behaviors that are seen as problematic, such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and difficulty with emotional regulation. While living with ADHD can be challenging, only focusing on the negative aspects perpetuates unhelpful stigmas and ignores the many strengths and benefits of ADHD.

Positive ADHD traits should be acknowledged and celebrated. Understanding those qualities can help individuals with ADHD see the best in themselves and harness their strengths in a way that everyone around them benefits from too.

In this blog post, I will highlight some of the positive qualities of ADHD, and how they can make life more enriching for individuals with this neurotype. I will also share some of my own positive experiences living with ADHD.

Positive ADHD Traits

A Norwegian study interviewed 50 adults with an ADHD diagnosis. The participants were asked a series of open-ended questions on what they saw as the positive qualities of ADHD. The common theme among their responses was that individuals with ADHD are more likely to be creative, resilient, open-minded, energetic, and spontaneous.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reported benefits of ADHD.

Creativity and Innovative Thinking

Perhaps one of the most positive ADHD traits is the creativity and innovation that goes with having a brain that thrives on novelty.

One of the best compliments I received came from my English teacher during my freshman and junior years of high school. Mrs. Fulton was always delighted by the fact that my creative writing assignments were pulled straight from the Sailor Moon fan fiction stories I wrote in my spare time. Not even a month after Mrs. Fulton had met me, she told me I “think outside of the box.”

That compliment was something I took with me long after graduation. Nowadays, whenever I get cast as a character in a murder mystery show or I get booked for a commercial, one of the first questions I ask myself is, “How can I play this role in a way that no one else has thought about?”

For many individuals with ADHD, innovative thinking isn’t limited to the arts. Individuals with ADHD also appear to be more likely to question social norms and rules.

I tend to insert myself in interesting conversations I overhear in public. Some people might think this is rude, and I will admit that inviting myself into conversations with strangers is probably not appropriate in all settings. However, in spaces like shows and conventions, this kind of spontaneity is welcomed. There are so many wonderful friendships I have fostered throughout my life that would not have happened if I hadn't invited myself into someone else’s interesting conversation.

Turning Passion into Progress

Have you ever worked on something, and it didn’t feel like working? Instead, you were intensely focused on one task, and the hours just flew by! You might have been so enthralled by the task at hand you may have even forgotten to eat and drink. This is what hyperfocus feels like.

It can be myopic to view ADHD as strictly an inability to pay attention. Rather, ADHD involves a misdirection of attention. It can be hard for us to focus for long periods of time on things that we find boring or view as unimportant.

However, when we do find something we’re interested in, we give it laser-like focus! I’ve spent many hours researching something that intrigues me, and yet it only feels like a few minutes have passed. This state is similar to the state of flow that is sometimes experienced by autistic individuals.

While hyperfocus can be hard to break without the right supports, it also has advantages when harnessed appropriately. Hyperfocus can result in higher productivity. This can be useful for things like studying or other tasks that require sustained concentration.

High Energy and Enthusiasm

Individuals with ADHD experience an abundance of physical energy. This energy can be particularly beneficial for activities such as sports, house cleaning, and activities that require physical labor.

In my case, the hyperactivity does not show up in my body. The hyperactivity often shows up in my brain. For me, this can look like overactive thoughts. It also explains my tendency to cycle intensely through lots of special interests in a short period of time.

The high energy in my brain also shows up as high energy in my emotions. Although ADHD makes regulating my emotions more difficult, it also means I wear my enthusiasm on my face. I have been told that when I am happy or excited about something, it’s hard for other people not to be, too!

Adaptability and Resilience

Having a brain that thrives on novelty also provides the added benefit of adaptability and resilience. Individuals with ADHD are more likely to respond positively to abrupt changes in plans, and they tend to be better at creating solutions when problems arise.

Not long ago, I needed to go to the bank. I wasn’t paying attention to the address for the bank when I requested my Uber ride. I accidentally booked the Uber to take me to a branch location in a completely different part of town than I had originally intended to go. Many people would see this as an inconvenience, and for some people this would be enough to ruin their day.

Being dropped off at the wrong location didn’t bother me in the slightest. Once I finished my errand at the bank, I decided to take a walk downtown. It felt good to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I also happened to be near my favorite coffee kiosk that serves pumpkin spice lattes year-round! Had I not accidentally gone to the wrong bank, I wouldn’t have had the chance to pick up one of my favorite treats!

Risk-Taking and Entrepreneurial Spirit

Risk-taking doesn’t always mean risky behavior! When channeled in healthy ways, the impulsivity that goes with ADHD can lead to some fun and spontaneous adventures. Individuals with ADHD also experience higher levels of curiosity. This curiosity can lead people to seek out new and exciting experiences as well as learn new things.

Deciding to leave the classic 9-to-5 grind in favor of self-employment was probably one of the riskiest decisions I ever made. I was lucky enough to have my husband and my job coach through Thrive Autism Coaching to serve as my sounding boards. They helped me make sure that I had thoroughly considered all of the consequences of leaving full-time employment for something much more uncertain.

Following this instinct was one of the best decisions I have made regarding my career. Instead of languishing on a phone all day processing insurance claims, I’m acting and performing as well as writing about my experiences being a neurodivergent human being. Not only am I happy and thriving in work I enjoy doing, but had I not decided to take that risk, you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog post!

I am far from the only entrepreneur with ADHD out there. Business mogul Sir Richard Branson, real estate tycoon Barbara Corcoran, and JetBlue founder David Neeleman are just a handful of entrepreneurs who publicly acknowledge their ADHD. Entrepreneurship requires a high tolerance for risk, creative thinking, and a willingness to adapt. These are qualities that many individuals with ADHD demonstrate.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of ADHD

ADHD can carry with it a lot of public stigma and negative connotations making it easy to focus only on the deficits. However, ADHD can also bring many positive qualities such as creativity, resilience, laser-like focus, enthusiasm, and a sense of adventure.

When the benefits of ADHD are acknowledged and celebrated, individuals can use this information about how their brain works to help them build lives in which they thrive.

If you would like help in identifying the strengths of your own unique brain, one of the coaches at Thrive Autism Coaching can help. Contact them to set up a free consultation today!