Your Guide to ADHD and Inattentional Blindness

Inattention is a hallmark of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, some evidence suggests that those with the condition may actually be better at noticing unexpected visual stimuli. More research is needed to know for sure.

In the late ‘90s, researchers ran an experiment that challenged the way we understood visual memory and perception. They asked study participants to count the number of passes one group of basketball players made as the ball flew around the court.

Amid the chaotic scene, the researchers found that about half the participants missed a very notable event: a person in a gorilla suit walking through the gym.

Nicknamed the “invisible gorilla” experiment , it quickly drew attention to the phenomenon of inattentional blindness , or change blindness . This is when you don’t notice unexpected stimuli in a scene when your focus is on something else.

Since inattention is a key feature of ADHD, you might assume that those with ADHD might not perform well in a task like this. On the contrary, limited research suggests that those with ADHD actually perform better than or equally as well as neurotypical people in similar experiments.

Here’s what the research says, as well as what it could mean for understanding how this condition manifests.

How does inattentional blindness present in those with ADHD?

Since ADHD is characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention, some researchers have wondered about the association between the condition and inattentional blindness.

In a 2015 study , researchers found that college students with ADHD performed better than students without ADHD at spotting unexpected stimuli. The researchers even went as far as to say that they exhibited “little-to-no” inattentional blindness.

Meanwhile, those with ADHD performed worse in a task that required them to detect a stimulus that repeatedly popped up in the same place.

As a result of these findings, researchers theorized that the discrepancies in focus for those with ADHD could be explained by the “hunter versus farmer” hypothesis .

This essentially theorizes that those with the condition have evolutionary traits that are simply not typically ideal for modern life, such as in classroom and office settings.

In this theory, the “farmers” are neurotypical people, who are thought to have greater patience and consistent concentration overall. Meanwhile, the “hunters” are those with ADHD, who may have increased, intense focus in certain situations but lack sustained, milder focus in others.

Those with ADHD are thought to have hyperfocus in non-mundane tasks, such as those that require creativity or a “flow state,” like painting. So, although those with ADHD are thought to have an attention deficit, it may just be that they have attentional differences.

Keep in mind that, so far, this research is speculative. Furthermore, in a small study of 84 participants from 2022, researchers didn’t find any connection between inattentional blindness and ADHD. Both the ADHD and non-ADHD groups detected the unexpected stimuli at about the same rate as well as in approximately the same time frame.

Although those with ADHD may focus differently than others, more research is needed before drawing conclusions.

How common is inattentional blindness in ADHD?

Inattention blindness is thought to be very common overall, with about half of participants not spotting the rogue primate in the landmark “invisible gorilla” study . The studies mentioned previously also found that those with ADHD exhibit inattentional blindness at about the same rate.

However, researchers from the previously mentioned 2015 study estimate that inattentional blindness occurs in those with ADHD at a much lower rate.

Coping strategies for inattentional blindness

Inattentional blindness is a common issue that doesn’t necessarily require treatment. However, it’s possible that reducing inattentional blindness could reduce things like traffic accidents, in which focused drivers don’t notice something unexpected — like a deer or a pedestrian — that seemingly comes out of nowhere.

Although inattentional blindness doesn’t have any specific treatments so far, one 2022 study found that an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention program decreased inattention-related errors in neurosurgeons.

Mindfulness programs may include measures like body scan meditations , mindful exercises , and breathwork .

Minimizing distractions when performing tasks like driving, getting enough sleep, and avoiding medications or substances that impair your attention and focus — like alcohol or sleep medication — can also help.

Keep learning about ADHD

If you have ADHD, it’s possible to live in the modern world in a fulfilling, healthy way. In fact, many consider the condition to have many upsides , including versatility, a fun and energetic disposition, and creativity.

Learn more about the benefits of having ADHD here.

For more ways to cope with the condition, you may want to check out our favorite ADHD management tools .

Takeaway

Those with ADHD have focus and attention spans that diverge from what’s typical, though the exact mechanism still isn’t well understood.

However, some limited research suggests that those with the condition may actually perform better at certain tasks than those without the condition, including noticing unexpected stimuli in a busy situation.

If you experience frequent forgetfulness, distraction, hyperactivity, or low impulse control, you may have ADHD. Visiting a professional for a formal diagnosis can help guide you to the best next steps.