Dong-Sun Jang Opens Up About 'High-Functioning ADHD'... Medication Can Be 'Poison' for People Without the Disorder [Smart Wellness]

[Financial News] More adults and students are suspecting that they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and seeking a diagnosis or prescriptions for ADHD medication. However, people without ADHD who misuse the medication to improve their concentration may experience side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and heart palpitations. In severe cases, psychological dependence and addiction may also occur, requiring caution.

Until recently, ADHD was considered limited to pronounced behaviors, such as an inability to concentrate enough to study or work, frequent mistakes and impulsive actions. More recently, however, 'high-functioning ADHD,' which allows people to carry out their daily lives without major difficulty, has drawn attention.
People with high-functioning ADHD may appear capable on the outside, but internally they often struggle with chronic failures in time management, lethargy and frequent emotional fluctuations.
Neuroscientist Dong-Sun Jang has also been found to have high-functioning ADHD. In content on his YouTube channel, Jang explained, "ADHD is like having so many Wi-Fi signals in your brain that when you need to concentrate, you pick up the internet from the house next door instead of your own." He also described his experience, saying, "With high-functioning ADHD, when I'm working, I somehow manage to pull in a wired connection and get done what needs to be done. After the work is over, the internet starts coming and going again."
As awareness grew that even people who appear ordinary may have ADHD, the number of people seeking medical care also surged. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), the number of adults with ADHD rose nearly fourfold in four years, from about 12,000 in 2018 to roughly 40,000 by September 2022.
However, a recent study analyzing ADHD self-diagnosis videos and information circulating on social media found that only 48.7% of the symptoms mentioned online precisely matched medical diagnostic criteria. Of the complaints that did not align with a diagnosis, 68.5% were closer to common human experiences such as fatigue, ordinary forgetfulness and burnout.
Experts pointed out, "Because of excessive information and misunderstandings about ADHD originating on social media, people are overly worried that even everyday stress or ordinary differences in personality are disorders."

People with ADHD tend to have neurotransmitters that are released more slowly. Put simply, when they need to do something, they may not feel the need to do it until a crisis is imminent. ADHD treatment raises the levels of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine, in the frontal lobe to normal levels. This helps patients maintain concentration and control impulsivity and distracting thoughts.
However, these medications work while they are being taken, and people may feel fatigued, depressed or anxious after the medication's half-life has passed. Caution is therefore necessary.
Noh Hyun-jae, a psychiatrist who appeared in the content, said, "The good habits and behavioral patterns developed while taking medication often remain even after stopping it, so many patients continue to do well after discontinuing medication." He emphasized the importance of not relying on medication, adding, "The most important thing is to first learn how to work with yourself."
Meanwhile, people without ADHD who take ADHD medication may experience side effects such as excessive stimulation, which can reduce their academic efficiency or work performance. Experts stressed that people should seek medical care and undergo a thorough evaluation by a specialist rather than hastily judging themselves based on their own suspicions or information circulating online.

[email protected] Kim Hyun-sun Reporter