05/15/2025
Sounds painfully familiar, right? Everyone has ADHD. What contributes to it? What can be done?
Screen Time Contributes to Functional ADHD
In today’s digital world, screen time is nearly unavoidable—especially for children and teens. From educational apps to gaming, social media, and streaming, screens are deeply woven into our daily lives. While some screen time can be beneficial, an over-reliance on digital media—especially fast-paced, reward-heavy content—can condition the brain in powerful ways, shaping how we think, feel, and behave.
The connection between screen time and functional ADHD is a growing concern in clinical neuropsychology, especially as we observe more children and adolescents presenting with attention difficulties that mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms—without necessarily meeting criteria for a formal diagnosis. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “functional ADHD” or screen-induced attentional dysregulation.
1. Screens Condition the Brain to Expect Rapid, Frequent Rewards
Many digital platforms use variable-ratio reinforcement schedules, where rewards (likes, wins, notifications, etc.) come unpredictably. This pattern is extremely effective at activating the brain’s dopaminergic system, particularly the mesolimbic pathway.
Result: The brain becomes trained to seek fast gratification.
Functional ADHD effect: Difficulty engaging with slow-paced, effortful tasks like reading or sustained writing—because these tasks don’t offer the same quick dopamine “hits.”
Read the full blog here
https://www.jeltova.com/screen-time-lost-time
