ADHD Aha! | Depression, relationships, and the myth of the ADHD “superpower” (Max’s story)

Max Willey, an expat living in Oslo, Norway, often found himself overwhelmed by complex tasks. As a young child, he saw too many moving parts - like all the steps in using his hand to draw a turkey. His brain was just moving too fast. A teacher thought he might have ADHD, but it wasn’t until adulthood that Max was diagnosed “by accident.” After feeling depressed and struggling with some personal relationships, he had sought treatment. And he was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression all at once.
Max felt relieved. He could finally get help and understand himself better. Even if there’s a long road ahead, he’s grown happier and more stable. This has led him to see ADHD as a “glorious curse.” It has its downsides - but also allows him to feel and do wonderful things.
How does that work? And how has Max seen the “glorious curse” play out in his own life? Listen in as Laura and Max unpack this and more.
To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.
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[@amyroylance7048]

Excellent! I completely “AHA’d” at his statement and description of the “graveyard of dreams”. Boy did that hit me where it hurts. I too suffered years of depression and anxiety before being diagnosed with ADHD. Thanks for the interview and time covering the topic!

[@McElitsome]

That's great and I hope you're working towards working on that. I hope I get to the point of being able to financially help myself too and go to a therapist.

[@McElitsome]

Wow, I finnally et someone who's in it. It's really hard to extplain these kind of things to people for me. And I think I have ADHD too... gonna check that out when I get the money. Man I fell like I've lived through everything Max is talking about. I love love love how vulnerable and open he is about this. He's definately worked on that and I really feel him. Thank you Max so much for speaking out. For people like me to feel "Yeeess! I'm not alone..!". I love this, I really love this

[@clairedot657]

ADHD can be a superpower when the stars align (which is rare), in the meantime someone still has to do the laundry.

[@dannythomson5239]

ADHD since birth in 1972, being ADHD in 1970's Scotland when the condition was unheard of or even given its name wasnt easy for me or my parents, i was this wild uncontrolable kid that any "authority figure" be they parent teacher or elder sibling could never order to do anything because i would go do the exact opposite. for example "do not touch that it is hot" i would be compulsed to touch that hot thing without thinking. sleep was a strange thing for me my whole life, perhaps 3hrs sleep at most each night as a kid. shoot, this comment was turning into my life story till i lost track and my mind started to wander lol

[@joeya289]

This guy sounds like he's trying to force himself into a field/profession that doesn't allow the fiexibility for him to really fit. The idea that effort matters more than outcome is a historic outlier perpetuated by bad teachers and bad coaches. You do not have to design a life for yourself where your worth is measured by the discomfort you put your mind into, and Max is only halfway into figuring that out.