ADHD 'Wandering Minds' Linked To Increased Creativity - Appalachian News-Express
Key Takeaways
- ADHD is linked with increased creativity
- People with more ADHD traits tend to score higher on tests of creativity
- Their wandering minds appear to boost their ability their imaginations
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — ADHD appears to enhance creativity, a benefit that comes if a wandering mind is nudged in the right direction, a pair of new studies have concluded.
Folks with more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder score higher on creative tests, researchers reported Saturday at a meeting of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) in Amsterdam.
This is likely due to their tendency to let their minds wander — shifting attention away from whatever task is at hand toward internally generated thoughts, researchers said.
“We found that people with more ADHD traits such as lack of attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity, score higher on creative achievements in both studies,” said lead researcher Han Fang, a doctoral student with Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands.
“Additionally, we found that mind wandering, particularly deliberate mind wandering, where people allow their ‘thoughts to wander on purpose,’ was associated with greater creativity in people with ADHD,” Fang said in a news release. “This suggests that mind wandering may be an underlying factor connecting ADHD and creativity.”
The study shows one of the potentially positive benefits of what is normally considered a disruptive behavioral disorder, experts said.
"Mind wandering is one of the critical resources on which the remarkable creativity of high-functioning ADHD individuals is based,” said Dr. K.P. Lesch, a professor of molecular psychiatry at the University of Wurzburg in Germany.
“This makes them such an incredibly valuable asset for our society and the future of our planet,” Lesch, who was not involved in the study, added in a news release.
For the studies, researchers compared two groups of ADHD patients with people who don’t have the disorder, including 347 in Europe and 403 in the U.K.
Participants’ ADHD traits were evaluated, along with their functional impairments, mind wandering, divergent thinking and creativity.
Everyone has a certain amount of mind wandering, but it tends to occur more often in people with ADHD, Fang said.
“Previous researchers have been able to distinguish two different types of mind wandering,” Fang said. “It can be a loss of concentration, where your mind may drift from subject to subject. This is ‘spontaneous mind-wandering.’ Another type is ‘deliberate mind wandering,’ where people give themselves the freedom to drift off-subject, where they allow their thoughts to take a different course.”
Results showed that both inattentiveness and hyperactivity-impulsivity among ADHD patients was linked with both creativity and mind wandering.
In particular, deliberate mind wandering was tied to greater inventiveness and imagination, researchers found.
On the other hand, spontaneous mind wandering tended to contribute to the sort of functional impairments typically found among people with ADHD, researchers said.
“This may have practical implications, for both psychoeducation and treatment,” Fang said. “For psychoeducation, specially designed programs or courses that teach individuals how to utilize their spontaneous ideas, for example turning them into creative outputs, could help individuals with ADHD traits harness the benefits of mind wandering.”
Fang continued: “For treatment, ADHD-tailored mindfulness-based interventions that seek to decrease spontaneous mind wandering or transform it into more deliberate forms may reduce functional impairments and enhance treatment outcomes."
It is, Fang said, the first time this link has been investigated, so more research will be needed to confirm the findings.
Findings reported at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
More information
The National Institute of Mental Health has more on ADHD.
SOURCE: European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, news release, Oct. 11, 2025
What This Means For You
People with ADHD can seek guidance or training on how to deliberately mind wander, which might enhance their creativity.
Overview
ADHD symptoms in adults in the UK can often be misunderstood, but recent findings suggest a surprising benefit: increased creativity. This article delves into how adults living with ADHD can harness their unique cognitive traits to enhance creative thinking. Understanding this connection is essential for UK adults with ADHD, as it highlights the potential positive aspects of a condition frequently viewed through a negative lens. One of the most compelling findings is that deliberate mind wandering, a common trait among those with ADHD, may significantly boost creativity.
Key Details
Research presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology revealed that adults with ADHD tend to score higher on creativity tests compared to their peers without the disorder. The studies involved 750 participants from Europe and the UK, specifically examining ADHD traits such as inattentiveness and impulsivity. Notably, lead researcher Han Fang from Radboud University Medical Center noted that allowing thoughts to wander deliberately was linked to greater imaginative capabilities. This finding suggests that the tendency to drift away from tasks may not always be a hindrance but rather a resource for creative thinking.
Interestingly, the research differentiated between spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering. The former often leads to functional impairments typical in ADHD, while the latter can foster inventiveness. Dr. K.P. Lesch, a molecular psychiatry professor, emphasised that this aspect of ADHD could make individuals with the condition invaluable to society. This positive spin on ADHD encourages a shift in perspective on ADHD management strategies, suggesting that creativity can be cultivated rather than suppressed.
The implications of these findings for ADHD treatment options in the UK are significant. They propose that *ADHD-friendly workplace strategies* could be developed to leverage this creativity. For instance, tailored mindfulness interventions could help individuals transform spontaneous mind wandering into deliberate thoughts, thereby enhancing productivity while managing ADHD symptoms. The research calls for more studies to validate these findings, but it opens the door to innovative approaches to ADHD management.
Practical Takeaways
- Explore mindfulness techniques: Consider mindfulness practices that focus on deliberate mind wandering to enhance your creativity.
- Track your thoughts: Keep a journal to document moments of creative inspiration that arise during mind wandering.
- Discuss with your GP: Talk to your healthcare provider about integrating creativity-focused strategies into your ADHD treatment plan.
- Implement ADHD productivity tips: Use techniques like the Pomodoro method to balance focus and creativity throughout the day.
- Engage in creative hobbies: Pursue artistic activities that allow for free expression and may leverage your ADHD traits positively.
- Consider training programs: Look for psychoeducational courses that teach how to harness spontaneous thoughts into creative outputs.
- Utilise UK resources: Access local ADHD support groups that focus on creative expression and peer support.
Bottom Line
The key takeaway from this article is that adults with ADHD can channel their mind wandering into creative pursuits, potentially enhancing their imaginative capabilities. This information is particularly beneficial for those seeking to understand the positive aspects of living with ADHD. While the studies show promise for ADHD management strategies, it’s important to approach these findings as preliminary and consult with healthcare professionals regarding *ADHD diagnosis in the UK* and treatment options available.
Related Reading
- ADHD Diagnosis in the UK - Learn about the assessment process and resources.
- Latest ADHD Research Findings - Stay updated on new studies and insights.
- More ADHD News - Access the latest developments in ADHD research and treatment.
- About ADHD Compass - Learn about our mission and resources.
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