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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

UNBELIEVABLE: Adhd may have been an evolutionary advantage research suggests | History Defined

Foraged food.
Research suggests ADHD traits could have helped our ancestors forage for food. Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian

Traits common to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as distractibility or impulsivity, might have been an evolutionary advantage for our ancestors by improving their tactics when foraging for food, researchers have said.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms including impulsiveness, disorganisation and difficulty focusing. While estimates of prevalence have varied, diagnoses have been rising in many countries, including the UK.

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