The prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among adults is increasing, and researchers suggest that smartphones may be partially to blame, according to a report by the British "Daily Mail." Doctors are trying to determine whether the steady rise in adult ADHD is due simply to improved screening and diagnostic practices or due to environmental and behavioral factors.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals who use their smartphones for two hours or more daily are 10% more likely to experience ADHD. This disorder is primarily associated with young children, who may outgrow it during development, but distractions created by smartphones, such as social media, texting, music streaming, movies, or television, are contributing to an epidemic of ADHD among adults.
Researchers note that social media inundates individuals with continuous information, prompting them to take frequent breaks from their tasks to check their phones. People who spend their leisure time using technology do not allow their minds to rest and focus on a single task, and common distractions can lead to shorter attention spans in adults, making it easier for them to become distracted.
Elias Abou Jaoude, a behavioral psychologist at Stanford University, stated, "For a long time, the link between ADHD and heavy internet use has been a chicken-and-egg question, meaning do people become heavy online consumers because they have ADHD and because online life suits their attention span, or do they develop ADHD as a result of excessive online consumption?"
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can result in limited attention span or hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can impact daily life, affecting relationships and work, and rendering individuals less productive. Researchers argue that more adults may be transitioning to ADHD due to the constant distractions posed by smartphones, adding that those who continuously use their devices do not allow their brains to rest in a default state.
John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, remarked, "It is reasonable to consider the possibility of acquired inattention," pointing out that some individuals are constantly pushed to multitask in today's society, and the widespread use of technology can lead to screen addiction, which may shorten attention spans.
Historically, ADHD has been defined as a hereditary disorder that can be managed through medication and therapy. However, researchers are currently discovering that lifestyle changes later in life, such as excessive reliance on smartphones, may render ADHD an acquired disorder.
