Influence of National Traumatic Events on Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Symptoms in Young Adults With and Without ADHD.

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies indicate that national traumatic events, particularly terror attacks, have a broad impact on the general population, including individuals not directly exposed. However, research on how such events affect inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms in individuals with ADHD remains limited.

Method: This study examined the impact of the October 7 terror attack in Israel on ADHD-related symptoms. Young adults with and without ADHD (43 ADHD and 42 control) completed assessments of current and childhood ADHD symptoms, as well as anxiety, at two time-points: before and after the national traumatic event. Participants also reported their level of exposure to the October 7 attack and the subsequent war.

Results: The control group showed a substantial increase in inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms after the attack, whereas the ADHD group exhibited no such increase and instead showed a slight reduction in symptom severity. Changes in symptoms in both groups were not influenced by direct exposure to an immediate threat. The increase in symptom severity tended to decline over time and was positively correlated with heightened anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: These results suggest that national traumatic events can temporarily increase inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms among young adults without an ADHD diagnosis, even if they were not directly exposed to the events. This increase tends to return to baseline over time. Conversely, individuals diagnosed with ADHD did not experience a worsening of symptoms and instead showed a slight reduction in severity, particularly in inattention, following the traumatic event. Future research should further explore the functional capabilities of individuals with ADHD under acute stress to deepen the understanding of this relationship.