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Mind wandering

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Summary

  • Unintentional mind wandering is more closely linked to ADHD symptoms than deliberate mind wandering.
  • Thoughts that keep shifting can distract; awareness of mind wandering is linked to its impact.

Proposed in research

Mind wandering is commonly divided into two types. Deliberate mind wandering means choosing to think about something else. Spontaneous mind wandering means thoughts drift away without an intention to do so.

A study examining both the general population and people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) found a closer association between symptoms and spontaneous mind wandering than deliberate mind wandering(Seli et al., 2015).

Thoughts that keep changing topics can also be a distraction

Proposed in research

A review documented how people with ADHD described their experience: constant mental activity, frequent changes of topic, and thoughts lacking coherence(Bozhilova et al., 2018). Researchers call this interference from thoughts “internal distractibility”(Lanier et al., 2019).

A study of adults found more frequent mind wandering among adults with ADHD. Even after accounting for core ADHD symptoms, more mind wandering remained associated with greater difficulties in daily life(Mowlem et al., 2016).

Awareness matters alongside how often the mind wanders

Proposed in research

How often the mind wanders and whether it is noticed are separate issues. A study of adults from the general population recorded mind wandering in the laboratory and daily life. Awareness helped explain the association between ADHD symptoms and difficulties related to mind wandering(Franklin et al., 2017).

Evidence

References (5)
  1. Cohort studyOn the relation of mind wandering and ADHD symptomatologySeli P, Smallwood J, Cheyne JA, Smilek D (2015). Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
  2. TheoryMind wandering perspective on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderBozhilova NS, Michelini G, Kuntsi J, Asherson P (2018). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
  3. ReviewMind Wandering (Internal Distractibility) in ADHD: A Literature ReviewLanier J, Noyes E, Biederman J (2019). Journal of Attention Disorders
  4. Cohort studyValidation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale and the Relationship of Mind Wandering to Impairment in Adult ADHDMowlem FD, Skirrow C, Reid P, Maltezos S, Nijjar SK, Merwood A, Barker E, Cooper R, Kuntsi J, Asherson P (2016). Journal of Attention Disorders
  5. Cohort studyTracking DistractionFranklin MS, Mrazek MD, Anderson CL, Johnston C, Smallwood J, Kingstone A, Schooler JW (2017). Journal of Attention Disorders