Are you the adventurous type who loves taking risks? Are you constantly looking for new thrills and excitement? Ever asked yourself why that might be? Well, if you’re someone with ADHD, it could be due to your neurology!
That’s right; studies have indicated that those of us with ADHD are more apt to break out of our comfort zones via risk-taking behaviors.
Let’s explore a bit of the science behind why people with ADHD are more likely to take risks – and find out what you can do to stay safe.
Why Do People With ADHD Take More Risks?
Generally speaking, it appears that there are a number of factors that could drive the increased risk-taking behavior seen among those with ADHD. For example, having comorbid behavior disorders, sensation-seeking tendencies, executive functioning and decision-making difficulties, peer pressure, and many others all play a part.
Then there’s the issue of dopamine.
Dopamine plays an important role in helping us feel rewarded from completing a task or achieving our goals.
People with ADHD, however, have a lower dopamine baseline than neurotypical people, making it harder for them to experience that same reward and motivating them to seek out activities that raise their dopamine baseline – specifically, risky ones. This is why those with ADHD take more risks than the average person: to experience the feeling of reward “missing” in their day-to-day lives.
Risky behaviors tend to increase the dopamine baseline and often subconsciously fill a void due to a perceived lack of success in other areas of life. That’s why these findings point to people with high levels of ADHD symptoms engaging in riskier behaviors due to finding such behavior appealing rather than an actual desire for risk, per se.
Examples: What Are 5 Risk Taking Behaviors?
If you’re trying to understand whether your behaviors are risky or not, it can be helpful to look at a few concrete examples. Here are a few risk taking behaviors that are more common for individuals with ADHD.
Gambling and Financial Problems
Gambling is one of the most common risky behaviors. Whether it’s playing the slot machines at the casino or betting on sports games, gambling can quickly become an addictive habit.
This type of behavior can lead to financial problems such as debt and even bankruptcy.
Dangerous Driving or Sports
We all like to have a little fun now and then, but when it comes to driving or engaging in extreme sports, taking risks just isn’t worth it.
Teens with ADHD are two to four times more likely to have traffic accidents and three times more likely to get injured.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is another form of risky behavior that can have serious consequences if not addressed early on.
Substance abuse can lead not only physical health issues but also mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, etc.
Unhealthy Eating
Eating unhealthy foods like processed snacks and fast food all the time can take its toll on your body over time.
Unhealthy eating habits can lead to obesity and puts you at higher risk for developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes later in life. Instead of reaching for processed snacks all the time, opt for healthier options such as fruits and vegetables that are packed with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.
Risky Sexual Practices
A final example of risk taking behaviors that might be common is having unprotected sex without knowing your partner’s sexual history. As you likely know, this puts you at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B & C.
How to Play it Safer When You Have ADHD
Taking risks can be a good thing, but too much of it can lead to serious consequences. Here’s how to learn how to take risks (but in a healthy way) and avoid the risks that might be harming you.
Identify the Activities That Are Risky, But You Find Yourself Attracted To
For those with ADHD, risk taking behavior can be a common issue, but reflecting on the activities that you find yourself attracted to can reduce the chances of engaging in risky behaviors.
Some people may realize they thrive off adrenaline and seek out dangerous situations. Others may simply not recognize that the activity they are engaging in can be risky. Recognizing why you are interested in certain activities can help you to explore healthier alternatives that replicate the same results without putting your health and safety at stake.
…Then Brainstorm Ways to Avoid Them
One successful way to minimize instances of risk-taking is to brainstorm beforehand about the potential consequences of engaging in each risky behavior. When considering an unwise decision or action, ask yourself questions about risks versus rewards, and mentally prepare for how it could affect your life.
Plus, developing preventive plans as well as positive alternatives like rewarding yourself with other experiences or activities that can have an equal amount of satisfaction without the risk are helpful strategies to employ when one feels they may make unhealthy decisions.
Lean On That (Good) Peer Pressure
One way to reduce the frequency of these behaviors is to take advantage of good peer pressure. Reaching out for support from friends and family members who have a positive outlook on life can provide an anchor for us, allowing us to have someone with whom we can share our difficulties and also gain valuable insight.
A comment or suggestion from a close confidante can often be enough to help keep us on track and remind us that engaging in risk taking behavior is not best practice.
Try Not to Blame Yourself
Feeling guilty or ashamed only serves to lower self-esteem and make it more difficult to resist the urge towards dangerous activities. Combat this tendency through self-affirmation, kindness, and compassion – instead of engaging in thoughts that hurt your chances of making positive changes.
When you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, it will be easier for you to take more control over your life and make wise decisions that minimize risk while still enjoying life.
Set and Stick to a Routine
A structure of regular routines gives form and order to your environment, breaking it down into manageable components, and giving consistency in when tasks should be done.
Organization can help you stay focused on the task at hand and avoid engaging in impulsive decisions or leaping headfirst into risk-related activities. Adherence to a regular routine also removes stress from decision making, as the path towards achieving goals has already been spelt out.
For guidance on how to build routines, download our free printable .pdf guide to building a daily routine.
Do Vigorous Exercise to Raise Your Dopamine Baseline
Not only does physical activity provide important health benefits, but it also helps raise the dopamine baseline in the brain, which can improve concentration and lead to a reduction of symptoms associated with ADHD.
Studies have even shown that aerobic exercises like running or swimming can significantly reduce instances of impulsive behaviors. So if you are looking for an easy solution to manage your symptoms of ADHD, look no further than making regular exercise a part of your everyday routine!
Participate in Risk Reduction Programs
Risk reduction programs can be a powerful tool for those with ADHD who have difficulty managing their risk-taking tendencies. By participating regularly in activities designed to provide healthy outlets for potential risky behavior, individuals may learn habits that offer an alternative to more dangerous activities.
An example is a safe driving program, which gives you the opportunity to practice defensive driving techniques and understand the consequences of risky choices behind the wheel. A program like this might also empower you to confidently make choices that keep you and others safe while you are on the road.
Executive Function Coaching
Executive function coaching is one way to mitigate risks, helping people with ADHD create meaningful changes in their lives. This kind of coaching helps boost self-regulation and problem-solving skills by providing clients with strategies for developing self-awareness, planning, pursuing tasks successfully, and strengthening executive functioning areas such as willpower or learning from mistakes.
To learn more about EF coaching, schedule a free discovery session with a Life Skills Advocate coach today.
Final Thoughts
Risk taking behaviors are common among those of us with ADHD.
Although these behaviors can sometimes lead to dangerous outcomes, they also often serve as an outlet for creativity and problem solving – it’s not all bad!
That said, excessive risk taking and participating in dangerous behaviors can, of course, be incredibly harmful.
If you notice someone close to you exhibiting risky behaviors due to their ADHD, or perhaps find yourself doing this as well, there are steps that you can take to help manage the situation better.
Understanding your propensity for these kinds of behaviors is the first step you should take – and hopefully, this article has set you off on the right track!
Further Reading
- Rachel Shoham et al: What Drives Risky Behavior in ADHD: Insensitivity to its Risk or Fascination with its Potential Benefits?
- Rachel Shoham et al: ADHD-associated risk taking is linked to exaggerated views of the benefits of positive outcomes – PMC
- Aylin Mehren et al: Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder – PMC
- Rebekah Pierce: Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder – PMC: 12 Tips To Take Control Of Overwhelm When You Have ADHD | Life Skills Advocate
- Rebekah Pierce: Navigating ADHD And Shame: Strategies For Managing Shame Spiraling