Experts explain 'popcorn brain' symptom that could be mistaken for ADHD

There's a condition called 'popcorn brain' that can often be mistaken a sign of ADHD, however, its main symptoms have been explained by professionals.

If you're someone that struggles to maintain focus on a task, whether it be a thought popping into your head while you're doing something else, or forgetting to reply to a message, you may have 'popcorn brain'. This term refers to thoughts literally popping up like kernels of corn that pop - hence the name.

Experts in the past have explained what it is - but there are some signs you should look out for.

What is popcorn brain, exactly?

Popcorn brain may not necessarily mean that you have ADHD, but it is often misconceived to be linked in someway - namely because the two conditions share a symptom of impacted concentration.

In fact, experts claim that there is no real link between popcorn brain and ADHD.

The latter is a neurodivergent condition that people are born with, while 'popcorn brain' is something that can be developed over time by the over-consumption of social media, according to experts.

The term 'popcorn brain' was coined by Daniel Levy in 2011, as the rise of social media, targeted ads, constant notifications and infinite scrolls resulted in compulsive usage patterns, Forbes reports.

Dr James Kustow, a consultant psychiatrist and author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD, explained that ADHD brains are 'active', and are 'jumping around', as he added: "Another way to think about it is mind wandering - also a characteristic feature of ADHD, which means that if you’re not engaged in a task that captures your attention, your mind will often go off in multiple different directions."

When discussing the different between the two, psycharist Dr Barjis Sulthana said via Wired: "Essentially, popcorn brain reflects a fragmented attention style, likely due to information overload, rather than a core neuro-developmental issue."

What are some signs of popcorn brain?

The main downside to popcorn brain is that it can alter concentration, make a person feel distracted and feeling disinterested or disconnected from others, according clinical health psychologist, Jennifer Wolkin, as per Women's Health.

Described as 'having 100 tabs open in your brain' at once, some other symptoms are stress, anxiety or fatigue - Sulthana says that keeping your phone in the other room and counting how many times you want to get it is a way to experiment whether you have it.

Because of the impact on your concentration, this may lead to the misdiagnosis of ADHD, which a key symptom, according to the NHS, is the inability to focus or prioritise.

Dr Kumaran Thevan, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, added that those with ADHD can suffer if left undiagnosed until adulthood, 'where people with ADHD can experience depression, trauma and anxiety'.

The condition can also lead to obsessive behaviour as the brain looks for the next big dopamine hit, as Dr Kustow explained (via The Telegraph): “They might have a low dopamine baseline, so they feel empty or bored when not busy. Then they might chase a rapid release of dopamine.”

Does a popcorn brain mean that you have ADHD?

Though these symptoms may signal ADHD, it doesn't mean that having a popcorn brain equates to the condition.

Dr Thevan claims that this style of thinking could mean that you have a low mood, or anxiety.

Experts explain that an ADHD diagnosis requires 'evidence of dysregulation in other areas of life like activity levels, impulse control, sleep, time appraisal and emotions'.

Dr Kustow says that there are 'three core areas': "Attention, activity and impulse control, yet everyone would agree that it is far more than this. Diagnosis is not just a symptom or two, and they have to cause impairments."

If you feel like you're suffering from any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you see a specialist to get a formal diagnosis.