The hunter vs. farmer theory is applied to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) and adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD). The theory was first proposed by Tom Hartmann, who worked with children with ADD. The premise is that ADD attributes in only some humans may be a a result of a form of adaptive behavior. Under this theory, as civilized society evolved, the attributes of a hunter gave way to those of a farmer for most people as society evolved from a nomadic existence to one of more permanent settlements. Over many years, most humans changed genetically, but some (those with ADD) still have the older hunter characteristics.

While the cause(s) of ADD/ADHD in humans are not known, and continue to be the subject of considerable research, Tom Hartmann's work has also pointed to the hyperfocus aspect of ADD as a gift for many persons, a position shared by many other medical and counseling professionals.

In the hunter-gatherer cultures that preceded farming societies, hunters (presumably mostly men) probably needed hyperfocus more than gatherers (presumably mostly women). This may be connected with the fact that ADHD is diagnosed in twice as many boys as girls.

See main article adult attention-deficit disorder.

See also

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD)
• adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD)
• hyperfocus
• List of famous people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for those who either definitely have (or had) Adult ADD/ADHD or it is thought be likely.

Sources

Books

Hartmann, Thom, Attention Deficit Disorder: A New Perspective

External links

• The Gift of ADD: Thom Hartman's website
• National Mental Health association, AADD webspage
• Adult Attention Deficit Disorder website with links
• Helpguide: ADHD or ADD: Signs, Symptoms, and Subtypes
• a Yahoo Group for Adults with ADD/ADHD an active online self-help group founded in 1999 with over 750 members