The Adrenaline Junkie
Children with ADHD can be accident-prone (Dr. Dobson, University of California, Berkeley). But as they can older they may include dangerous activities such as “rock climbing, bungee jumping, car racing, motorcycle riding or white water rafting.” The draw to such activities it the need for high stimulation and the adrenaline rush that is associated with these activities. Adults with ADHD are sometimes considered to be “adrenaline junkies” seeking out activities that will create a rush or a high.
Some individuals that require high stimulus or high-risk activities might be at risk for drug abuse or alcoholism. An article at Born to Explore indicates that 40% of adolescents with ADHD have been arrested at least once before their eighteenth birthday.
There seems to be a differentiation, however, to anti-social and criminal activities. Those individuals with ADHD only may be stimulation seeking; however, those that engage in criminal and anti-social behaviors are more often those that have been diagnosed with ADHD and additional co-existing mental illnesses, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder.
According to Dr. Dobson, some of the stimulation seeking behaviors diminish or lessen with social maturity. Adults with ADHD can instead use their high energy and creative thinking to enhance their lives and careers.
Sources:
Is ADHD Associated with High-Risk Behavior, Latimore, Walt, Focus on the Family, Family.org
ADHD: Safety, Leslie Packer, PhD., Tourette Syndrome Play, 2004
The Coincidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Creativity, Bonnie Cramond, PhD., Born to Explore, 1995
