ADHD and Creativity: A Superpower with Kryptonite | James Fell | TEDxTirguMures

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of ADHD, creativity and the brain. Several claims in this talk lack sufficient scientific support. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
James Fell-the “Sweary Historian”-learned he had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the age of 53 and said, “Well, that explains a lot.” He’s come to consider it a kind of superpower for creative thinking, a powerful tool in his becoming a bestselling author. Alas, it also comes with a load of kryptonite in the form of childhood trauma and anxiety. James Fell, at the age of 42, left the business world to become a writer. Before long, he was one of the best-known fitness authors in North America. A decade later, he made a sudden shift to writing “sweary history” stories. The column is read by millions each month and has been compiled into two bestselling books. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Sebastian-qc2tx]

ADHD is the reason they always want to fire me from my job. But ADHD is also the reason I never get fired. I work in an advertising agency

[@BadKittyNoMilk]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I have ADD. I love it and I hate it. I’m still learning about it. I was diagnosed a few years ago. I’m 52 now 😊

[@Sebastian-qc2tx]

@@BadKittyNoMilk I went to another advertising company. Now I work as a director. Under me, I work with a creative person who has ADHD, he is very good with ideas, but he is very scattered and always takes ideas to a place that is difficult to control. What I noticed in this new agency is that this guy is very criticized and hated. The same thing happened to me at my previous job. He reminds me of me in my beginnings. People hate us, but they can't do anything about it. I empathize with him, because we are of the same "species" and we have a lot of fun working, I know how to lead this person, because I am doing what I would have liked my former bosses to do with me to understand me. But it is difficult to live with this condition

[@sarahkimberlyrosen8617]

"I don't take Ritalin to write... I take it to stop writing.." That hit me pretty hard. I don't think I understood ADHD until you said that...

[@honeymoonavenue97]

I’m a writer and I’m super creative so that would sabotage my success in life

[@MrChalmers99]

Im getting tested for ADHD currently (My doctor, whole family, university lecturers all are positive i have it) i got hooked on Music from a very young age, and then when i was in my music classes in school, i got hooked on what the teacher was doing with the students and the lessons, Im now going into my 4th year of university studying to be a music teacher myself. I've done a 3 year course on Music production, have 15 years of guitar and 7 other instruments under my belt. When doing composition, all of my classmates did relatively the same thing, mostly classical and taking inspiration from older songs, where as just went with the flow to create my own thing with no reference to anyone else's music, full electronic, my own sound effects, the whole shebang 😂

[@Gingle2011]

Im so impressed and touched as a mum of a very impulsive adhder. U changed my view of impulsivity. Thank u god bless u

[@SeamusOR]

My adhd is so bad I’ve watched this video 4 times already and daydreamed through it every time

[@Soso87652]

😂😂😂😂same bro it's irritating

[@sagefunhog]

James, this is awesome! It's so on-brand for you! I, too was diagnosed with ADHD just last summer. I feel it's a huge reason for my creativity and drive, but damn, it sure does explain why I have a gazillion great ideas and have such a hard time focusing on getting them completed!

[@Plantedstrengthandnutrition]

I feel this 👊🏻

[@cheyanne919]

I resonate with this.😊

[@crissycobain8361]

I enjoyed your speech. As someone diagnosed late in life at 42. This is recent..Well let me just say I could follow your speech precisely.. thank you for the insights ❤

Thank you so much for speaking at our event TEDxTirguMures, keep being awesome James!

[@BadKittyNoMilk]

I love the realness in this speaker. I can’t keep up because it’s too much to get to one single simple point. I lost internet

[@stewartdahamman]

Losing internet certainly wouldn't help...

[@caseymiller566]

My ADHD only lets me get five minutes into this......

[@daniellereese4444]

I LOVE your writing And presenting here. The chuckles keep coming and keeps me engaged - soooo much of what youre describing resonates with me on All the levels.

[@melanieshields6816]

Nicely done, James! This helps me understand my creative ADHD sister, and all her distractions, a bit more. Don’t fret about the audio on this- the presentation is funny, and we are laughing with you!

[@thelucybloom]

Good job James! Love ya books and thanks for sharing your take on the connection between ADHD and creativity.

[@catherinenangle2236]

I'd love to hear more from this speaker!

[@peterflynn9123]

I am a graphic designer of 35 yrs. I have done high risk sports all my life. I've always been addicted to caffeine. I love inventing and making things. I'm impulsive, intolerant, and get anxiety. But I have come to enjoy the inventive problem solving out of the box thinking my seemingly unwired brain comes up with. My wife says I have ADHD. I don't need a doctors opinion now as a second opinion

[@itsWoodsy88]

lad apart from being a graphic designer you've just described me word for word even the age and I was just diagnosed few weeks ago you for sure have it I've no doubt

[@petethedoodler]

It is like I wrote this message. I too have been a Graphic Designer and illustrator for 35 years. Fought most of my youth and put myself in dangerous impulsive situations. My brain is always full of creative ideas I start and dont finish. I am 52 and I am just about to go the doctors for a diagnosis. I have done the primary tests and it seems I do have ADHD. I wish I would have had a diagnosis early in life. Instead of being surrounded by abusive caregivers, suffering and making others suffer. I hope your diagnosis has i proved your life.

[@peterflynn9123]

@petethedoodler I am lucky in that I have developed many coping mechanisms over the years. It sure explains why I am the way I am. People still think I'm strange though.... but at 57 I don't give a damn

[@baudinaslikker1784]

Was looking forward to this talk. You didn’t disappoint lol. Thank you :-)

[@cherylmaggi2954]

Wow! This speaks to me. Thank you.

[@kathleneharmon690]

You're one of my heroes

[@Hunter-type]

I need to be a Writer

[@peggypiercefield5188]

Hilarious. I wrote many parts of books and songs. I'm 42 and yet to put them together except for a few songs.

[@FarmerGwyn]

I find these type of people rather annoying, I have ADHD, it is NOT a superpower, it is a pain, across the population there is no higher prevalence of creativity in ADHD people compared to the rest of the population, this guy is simply particularly gifted, it has nothing to do with ADHD whatsoever, he probably doesn't actually have ADHD ....

[@mrjohncrumpton]

I agree, ADHD is a disability, not a super power.

[@FarmerGwyn]

@@mrjohncrumpton An inability more than a disability...?

[@mrjohncrumpton]

@@FarmerGwyn Nice! I like that, reframing it. I meant it's recognised as a disability by the government

[@gothbee1396]

You when people live differently 😮

[@MehulPatelLXC]

A lot of successful entrepreneurs have ADHD. I’m one of them.

[@anthropocene-]

I just wanted to be 1st comment...

[@jaredalbin5658]

Interesting that he takes medicine to not work…I struggle with procrastination so much I need it to actually get the work done.

[@cheyanne919]

Pills kill the gifts of ADHD. Indigo Prophet sings about it. Iam greatful to not take the pills.

[@jaclynnchubirka8623]

I wish he wouldn’t have brought up the recommendation of marrying a doctor to supplement his behavior. It’s an odd concept and ruined the whole speech. I couldn’t believe anything he said afterwards.

[@BodyForWife]

The marrying a doctor part was clearly a joke that had nothing to do with behaviour, but earning enough money to allow me to pursue a writing career. Lot's of new authors rely on a well paid partner to support them.

[@stevepyles8871]

F word is totally inappropriate. Absolutely no confidence in what someone has to say, that can't even control their foul mouth.

[@PeregrineSW]

Oh, grow up Sister Jude

[@bobbywall172]

Too much profanity, STOP

[@missfeliss3628]

lol its a good speech but i really just wish he didnt say the F word so much lmfao..

[@missfeliss3628]

omgosh... sorry but hes disgusteeng with his language.. i mean one or 2 F bombs is forgivable but hes disgusteeng ...