Can Impulsivity In Teens with ADHD be a Good Thing?

While impulsivity is typically a normative experience in adolescence, those diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) typically engage in more risky and impulsive decisions than their peers. Due to increased risk of impulsive choices, the teen years can feel scary for parents as they may witness their child experimenting with alcohol and drugs, risky sexual behavior or other behaviors that put them at harm. 

But is impulsivity always a negative thing? 

Some researchers in the Netherlands wanted to test a hypothesis that risky behaviors could also be beneficial in regards to pro-social and positive risk taking behaviors, and were curious if teens with ADHD engaged in more positive, negative or pro-social risky behaviors than their peers. They defined positive risk-taking behaviors as asking others on a date, trying a new hobby and making small talk with strangers. These are risk taking behaviors that can be positive for oneself. Prosocial risk-taking was defined as taking risks for someone else (either social, health or financial risks). This could include standing up for someone being bullied or protesting in support of social justice issues. Some previous research found that prosocial risk-taking behavior in individuals was related to higher levels of empathy and sensation seeking. 

So what did these researches find? 

They found that there was not a significant difference in negative and positive risk-taking behaviors between the control group and teens with ADHD. However, there were statistically significant differences in the pro-social risk taking behavior. Teens diagnosed with ADHD were more likely to engage in standing up for a friend, spending their money to help others, or breaking rules to help someone out in need. Interestingly, this behavior was linked less to impulsivity or empathy but more to a profound sense of social justice, fairness and equity- a trait known as “justice sensitivity” which is observed at higher rates in those with ADHD. 

While the study was small and relied on self-reporting, it highlights the unique strengths these teens bring to their communities. Like most initial studies, more research will need to be done with larger samples and observational data to see if these findings continue to bear out. However, it is important to acknowledge that children and teens with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder also have strengths that are valuable to their peers and the greater community. If your teen with ADHD often cares deeply about others, the environment, sticking up for the little guy, or marginalized groups, they are likely demonstrating this justice sensitivity.  This can be a valuable trait in our society, as individuals that exhibit this quality tend to have a strong sense of equity and desire for a more inclusion of all people.  

How Can You Support Pro-Social Risk Taking in Your Teen? 

As a parent, you can help your teen hone in on healthy and effective pro-social behaviors. You can encourage them to join a club at school that supports others, engage or create fundraisers for causes they care about or include more marginalized peers in activities or outings. 

It is easy to focus on the more frustrating aspects of this diagnosis, however many of these kids receive far more criticism and negative feedback than their same-age peers. Celebrating the positive behaviors, along with some of their strengths and benefits of ADHD can help improve your teens feelings of self-worth. It can help them find more ways to engage in positive pro-social risk taking which may keep them further away from the negative risky behaviors.

If you or your teen could use more ADHD support, our therapists in Lehi, Utah are here to help in person or virtually.