Why do those with ADHD have slower reaction times?

Studies have shown that those with ADHD can take longer to think, react, and respond.

While reaction time isn't a core symptom of ADHD, it can be affected by ADHD. The studies below demonstrate potential causes and links between ADHD and reaction time.

While those with ADHD may be slower to react than those without ADHD, they don't necessarily always think slower than those with ADHD.

One study that did a deep dive into reaction time and ADHD found that those with ADHD reacted and answered just as quickly as those without ADHD on most tasks.

However, on occasion, they took an excessively long time to answer, potentially due to distraction or lapses in attention:

This link between reaction time and ADHD may be genetic. The study below confirmed that those with ADHD had slower reaction times.

Interestingly, their siblings were also more likely to have slower reaction times, suggesting that genetics and families may play a role in slower reaction times among those with ADHD:

There is evidence that reaction time may be a core part of ADHD.

One study examined whether factors such as test speed could affect reaction time for those with ADHD.

While faster event rates and rewards could help those with ADHD respond faster, they still had greater reaction time variability.

This effect was seen across many different tests, suggesting that this is a fundamental effect of ADHD.

Similarly, a meta-analysis looking at the cognitive effects of ADHD found that reaction time was one of the most strongly linked effects of ADHD on the way that we think:

There's still much to be learned about ADHD and how it affects our thinking.

Those with ADHD have slower and more variable reaction times because it may be a fundamental part of ADHD.

This has a potential genetic basis and may get passed down in families: