ADHD Weekly -- Busy Puppy? Researchers Describe ADHD in Dogs

[KarenADHDWeekly]

Dogs and people seem to share similar behaviors that could be symptoms of ADHD. Researchers are exploring canine ADHD to better understand ADHD in humans. Read what researchers and CHADD expert have learned in bit.ly/nrcdogadhd

[wtfadhd]

Hi Karen,Im a bit baffled- are you implying that dogs struggle with executive functioning, follow thru, organizing, boundaries, being susceptible to gaslighting… etc? I disagree that dogs have human like behavior. They are pack animals that acclimate to doghood by having a consistent master. if that doesnt occur then they will not consistently do what people command them to do…. how is that even similar?

i didnt even read the article in the link because at glance this seems absurd. dogs and humans share similar behaviors?!?!

[KarenADHDWeekly Partner in reply to wtfadhd]

Hello!

I encourage you to read the article. This is based on a study of about 11,000 dogs. Researcher used markers/symptoms of ADHD as defined in the DSM-5 and compared those to the dogs' behaviors and actions. I also asked CHADD's resident expert to review the study for me to better understand the results; it turns out he had done a similar study with dogs in the 1970s.

I asked Dr. Arnold if dogs could really has ADHD, and his response, which I included, was:

“It depends on how you define ADHD,” says L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, CHADD’s resident expert. “I think some dogs could pass the DSM-5 [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition] criteria, because it involves a symptoms checklist. Although if dogs don’t get enough attention, they will come up and stick their noses into things. I bet they would pass enough criteria to be able to make the diagnosis.”

The researchers could measure executive function -- as displayed by dogs -- along with attention, following commands, and hyperactivity. These are areas the DSM-5 describes as being impaired by ADHD.

You mention difficulties with boundaries, organizing (I assume physical space) and being gaslit by other people. These are experiences, not symptoms, that humans with ADHD are likely to have. You're correct in that its doubtful dogs would have the same experiences.

I encourage you to read the article . The research is interesting and can help us to learn more about ADHD and perhaps come up with new ways of addressing the disorder.

chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-ne...

Thanks!

Karen

CHADD's admin & newsletter writer

[wtfadhd in reply to KarenADHDWeekly]

Hi Karen, my ADHD curiosity got the best of me and i read the article along with several others because i was in disbelief.

our leaders and experts in ADHD have outlined over n over again that back in 70’s maybe, that the world decided everything needed to be “ measurable”. unregulated emotions/ big emotions which is one of the most damaging symptoms of adult ADHD got nixed bc it was thought to inmeaurable except by self report.

domesticated dogs do not need executive functioning. they do what the pack leader says. in domesticated dogs the pack leader is their owner. period.

the DSM stigmatizes ADHD. we do not get distracted by squirels unless we REALLY happen to like them. we have interest based brains and thats problematic in a society that values conformity. so we suffer trying to learn normy life hacks which damages our self esteem. We are misunderstood, the DSM has undermined us, our symptoms are basically everything society feels is “ unsocialized lack of control” … etc etc. im tired of explaining myself to the world but in an ADHD group with admin?!?!?! heartbreaking. .

This article likens our experiences n behaviors to dogs. That is really damaging Karen. us ADHD folks do not need dog studies. we just dont. im sickened by this. 😢