Social and labor stressors influencing disability in Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity

Abstract

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a controversial issue. If ADH represents a mental disorder, it must be the cause of a primary dysfunctionality and maladaptation from childhood to adult life. We will look for evidence to substantiate this discussion. We conducted an online survey about economic and academic performances and maladaptation, following a screening for ADHD using Adult Self Report Scale (ASRS). The subjects were naive. There were 2173 participants, of which 28.06% were ADH(+). Even regarding only subjects with extreme ASRS scores (<1.0 and >2.5), ADH(+) and (-) groups did not shown difference in functionality. We grouped subjects by professional career. The highest ADH(+) prevalence was found in publicity, where almost no difference in subjective suffering between the groups was observed. Our results indicate that ADH(+) people can show equivalent functionality and adaptability than ADH(-) ones when they live in their preferred labor/social niches, arguing that ADHD can be a different cognitive style with dysfunctionality and mental suffering could be secondary to social stress.