[2025 Good Brain] Director Hyukyu Huh: "Adult ADHD Is Not Due to Lack of Willpower... Society Must Join in Treatment"

About 3?5% of Adults Estimated to Have ADHD Tendencies
Social Prejudice and Misunderstanding Cause "Double Suffering" for Patients

Hyukyu Huh, director of Yonsei Gasan Forest Mental Health Clinic, emphasized that "Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and addiction are not simply individual problems, but challenges that society as a whole must address."

Hyukyu Huh, director of Yonsei Gasan Forest Psychiatry Clinic, attended the "2025 Good Brain Conference" hosted by Asia Economy at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 3rd and gave a lecture on the topic "Adult ADHD and Addiction." 2025.9.3 Photo by Yongjun Cho

At the "2025 Good Brain Conference" held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 3rd, Dr. Huh stated, "Mental health can only truly be restored through the process of communicating intimately with more people."

ADHD is commonly known as a disorder diagnosed mainly in childhood, but a significant number of individuals continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Dr. Huh explained, "In adult ADHD, inattentiveness, impulsivity, and emotional instability are more prominent than hyperactivity," adding, "However, in society, these symptoms are often misunderstood as laziness or irresponsibility." He also pointed out that such social prejudice and misunderstanding inflict "double suffering" on patients.

According to domestic studies, it is estimated that about 3 to 5 percent of the adult population in Korea exhibit ADHD tendencies. However, actual cases of diagnosis and treatment are rare. Dr. Huh noted, "The moment someone is labeled as 'lacking willpower' at work or at home, they lose the opportunity to receive treatment," and stated, "For this reason, adult ADHD often becomes a hidden disorder."

He also highlighted the close relationship between adult ADHD and addiction. Dr. Huh said, "The vulnerability of adults with ADHD to addiction is not a matter of personal willpower, but rather stems from neurobiological characteristics," urging greater social understanding. An imbalance in dopamine neurotransmission makes it difficult to control impulses and intensifies the desire for reward, leading to repeated addictive behaviors. Therefore, simply correcting lifestyle habits has its limits, and a systematic approach involving medication and cognitive behavioral therapy is necessary.

Medication for ADHD works by regulating dopamine neurotransmission to reduce impulsivity and inattentiveness. When combined with psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), patients can correct lifestyle habits and improve self-control. Addiction issues are fundamentally addressed in the same context.

On the 3rd, Hyukyu Huh, director of Yonsei Gasan Forest Mental Health Clinic, attended the "2025 Good Brain Conference" hosted by Asia Economy at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and gave a lecture on the topic "Adult ADHD and Addiction." 2025.9.3 Photo by Yongjun Cho

Dr. Huh further emphasized, "Mental health is not a battle to be fought alone." Adult ADHD and addiction do not only result in personal suffering but also lead to socioeconomic burdens. This is because they are often accompanied by decreased productivity at work, frequent job loss, interpersonal conflicts, and even criminal behavior. Dr. Huh stated, "Early diagnosis and treatment not only improve the quality of life for patients but also reduce costs for society as a whole," and added, "We must first change the social atmosphere that makes people feel ashamed to seek psychiatric care."

He concluded, "While there are many discussions about the era of addiction, attempts to design recovery are rare," and suggested, "Our society must now move toward embracing individual vulnerabilities and creating communal solutions."