ADHD generally refers to Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and there is some improvement in IQ (scale test value) after taking medication, but in reality ADHD may not necessarily have intellectual deficits.
The core symptoms of ADHD are still obvious attention deficit and hyperactivity, which also leads to impaired social functioning (e.g., decreased academic performance, poor interpersonal relationships), and there is improvement and betterment in social functioning such as academics and interpersonal relationships after taking medication.
Intelligence scales (e.g., Wechsler Intelligence Tests) may improve as a result of the medication, but this improvement is mainly due to the medication’s improvement of distracted, hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, and a very large increase in executive functioning.
According to the data, only a small percentage of ADHD patients have a low IQ, and this is due to the fact that “working memory” and “executive functioning” are weighted in the IQ scale, and it is the impairment of these two areas that makes the final result of ADHD subjects It is the impairment of these two areas that results in low final IQ scores for ADHD subjects.
Numerous studies have shown that the average intelligence of adults with ADHD is not statistically different from that of normal subjects.
In summary, taking medication significantly improves the various symptoms of ADHD and should be treated in a standardized, comprehensive manner under the guidance of a clinician.