Does Jake Have ADHD in Brooklyn 99?

Jake Peralta is the main protagonist in the police-inspired sitcom Brooklyn 99. He is an excellent detective with a great record, but when a new Captain comes to the 99th precint, Jake is challenged to be a better version of himself.

Throughout the show's season, fans have been speculating about Jake potentially having ADHD. This has been an ongoing point of discussion, and it has its own Reddit thread.

Here is a brief overview of ADHD and why fans suspect Jake has it.

What is ADHD?

Credit: Brooklyn 99

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neurodivergent disorders. Usually diagnosed in children, ADHD has three types - Predominantly Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive, and a combination of both.

If a person is Predominantly Inattentive, this means they have a hard time focusing on and completing one task at a time. On the other hand, a person who is Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive may have a hard time sitting still and may appear to have a lot of energy, always on the move. They may also tend to act without thinking about the consequences. Other people with ADHD may even display a combination of Inattentive and Hyperactive.

Does Jake Peralta in Have ADHD?

Credit: Brooklyn 99

Before anything else, a quick reminder- we cannot officially diagnose Jake Peralta with ADHD because only a trained professional can do so. The most that we can do is to make an impression based on Jake's behavior in the episodes.

Jake seems to be exhibiting a lot of the common behaviors of a person with ADHD. For example, he often hyperfixates on things and events, like the heists and his cases. Jake also tends to act impulsively and dislikes sitting on his desk to work on paperwork, preferring to walk the streets of Brooklyn to solve crimes.

These are only some of Jake's behavior that can point to him potentially having ADHD. However, one may also argue that Jake's behavior may also be out of passion for his profession. Either way, we love Jake Peralta for who he is, and we love him even more for working to make himself a better person for himself and everyone he cares for.