Impaired empathy but no theory of mind deficits in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective: The cognitive capacity to change perspective is referred to as theory of mind (ToM). ToM deficits are detectable in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Since executive abilities are closely associated with ToM skills, we suspected that due to a common neuropsychological basis, ToM deficits exist in treatment-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Performance of treatment-naïve adults with ADHD (N = 30) in tasks assessing executive functions (Trail Making Test, Stroop color–word test, and Test Battery for Attentional Performance), empathy skills (Cambridge Behaviour Scale), and ToM (Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition) was compared with that of a healthy control group (N = 30) matched according to basic demographic variables. Results: Compared to healthy controls, treatment-naïve adults with ADHD showed deficits in various executive functions and the ability to empathize (all p