ADHD is Not a Mental Illness

[@VooDooSue]

At 61, diagnosed with depression for the third time in my life. This time, however, armed with information from good people like you, I was encouraged to seek better for myself. This began for me around age 11. I'm the Poster Child for ADHD in women of my era. My entire life has felt a certain way. This information...and the scars you discuss...are real. With ADHD underlying now identified, I'm able to switch my understanding to help myself. You have a great channel. ❤

[@RickHasADHD]

Thank you for your kind words. I love hear the difference we make. The long-standing and still lingering belief that "ADHD involves disruptive, undisciplined, unruly, trouble-making boys, who will eventually grow out of it," has caused unimaginable and unnecessary suffering among girls, women, and men. Especialy for ADDers who have the 'Predominantly Inattentive Subtype,' meaning they struggle to stay on topic, zone out, avoid distractions, and tendency to get lost in thought. They may miss half of what the teacher is saying, but they aren't disruptive. We're still learning what ADHD is, but research and the experience of millions of poeple shows it not just a problem for boys, it doesn't always include Hyperactivity and/or Impulsivity, and over half people diagnosed with ADHD in childhood are still struggling and impaired by the same symptoms. The brain is complicated. And we seem to be living in an world that wants simple explanations so someone or something can be blamed.

[@SaltAndVinegar42]

@@VooDooSue I feel you! It runs in our family among us ladies. And man, I'm the youngest (45) and have more and more respect for how my Mum must have felt. Strong ladies everywhere, and it is nice to read, that you find your peace! Rock this world! (And we are not 'depressed'.. It's the brain that is)

[@Lynee5290]

My story at 69 is very similar. After many diagnoses and treatments for depression and anxiety over most of my adult life coming across these videos from Rick and some others has been life changing. Have recently been diagnosed AuDhd. 😊

[@frankdewaalirisclazing6501]

Hi Rick, You do such important work with your video's! At last diagnosed at age 49. After decades of depressions, burnouts and other forever struggles I now thrive on medication, meditation, strategies and having the luxury of a secretary, and have come to my full potential. Something I wish for all your viewers here. Keep up the good work.

[@patormsby9441]

Still not officially diagnosed, but beginning to turn my life around a bit at 66, I always thought my differences were due to being a social outcast as a child. I was raised as a Buddhist in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the lone white kid (most of the time) in an all-Japanese church. The other kids at school came from enormous families, and that seemed to give them the social skills I lacked. In both circumstances, I stood out as an easy target for bullying. I defined myself as a "Buddhist from Salt Lake" in my attempts to explain to others why I was different. Finally, I went to Japan, where my weirdness was excused as simply part of being a foreigner and I had the advantage of knowing something about their culture. I found interactions with Americans in Japan to provoke anxiety, unless they had been here a while. It also stuck with me that other children challenged by obvious uniqueness could turn the situation around and use it to their advantage, becoming super-popular. Having the knowledge you provide, even without a diagnosis, has given me tremendous relief.

[@alysmarcus7747]

honestly i thought i was burn out from anxiety all the time. and you are so right about finding the you in there, just knowing is a good start.

[@sandrinowitschM]

Maybe it isn't but boy does it sometimes feel like one. For the longest time I thought I was just lazy and easily bored. Sometimes I still do. The thing is that even though I'm medicated now, the behavioral patterns from a lifetime of disappointing myself and my peers are still deeply engrained. It's an uphill battle for sure.

[@andrewhkim]

can you elaborate more on what kinds of behavioral patterns still affect you, even after meds? thanks!

[@sandrinowitschM]

@andrewhkim hard to explain but it mostly has to do with a lack of self esteem. While growing up I basically learned that my way of thinking and doing things was "wrong". That led to me copying traits of other more adapted people and led to me basically having no inherent sense of self. It feels like having no foundation or like a puppet without its strings. Even though I am now much more able to focus and controll my thoughts, I'm still afraid of putting that ability to use because deep down I'm still convinced I'll mess it all up anyway. So even though I might be able to finally do some of the things I always wanted I'm still having huge problems to motivate myself "just start". I'll still pathologically overthink everything. Another thing is my unhealthy relationship with food. The medication actually helps with moderating my appetite but whenever I'm feeling off, my coping mechanism is still rummaging through the fridge and eating an unhealthy amount of junk food.

[@miriam4235]

Ha ha, I love you put the Gardeners Guide definition in there. 🐌

[@RickHasADHD]

😁

[@RickHasADHD]

My wife is a Master Gardener. We have more books on plants, vegetables, gardens, weeds, and landscaping as we do on ADHD. (But then I keep lending out my copies of ADHD books to friends who suspect they may have it, or have been officially diagnosed.)

[@ifferbythesea]

I loved this addition, too! Rick has such a great way of presenting so much useful information in an entertaining and engaging way! It's cool to know that his wife is a master gardener, too! 🌱🪴🌷

[@sharonpollack1119]

I was diagnosed at a young age and tested as an adult. Its hard to explain to many how it works. Its tiring trying to explain to everyone that its a disorder that you have to try and push through and I have excepted myself in away I can appreciate that I am who I am. I know when when my anxiety and depression acts up it ADHD acts up. Thank you for sharing your experience with it. in general people have put a stigma on people like us that were not smart or what ever they think. We are all important and special.

[@RickHasADHD]

It is frustrating, isn't it? I've spent the last 15 years trying to explain it! LOL. The overlap with Clinical Depression and General Anxiety Disorder is huge. Check out my video on ruminating.

[@sharonpollack1119]

@@RickHasADHD Its a strange thing. Iol, When people are on meds for ADHD it treat you so different. we are all wired differently and the meds are so completely different from the brands to the generic. That's a topic for another day. Thank you for writing back to me

[@kittymccatcat953]

As a woman in my late 50s with diagnoses of both ADHD and NVLD, I have lots of thoughts... First, the DSM, which lets doctors decide whether we get these diagnoses is literally called the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'. So much for the genesis of the mental illness idea. Plus, in the US if you are struggling with life as an adult with symptoms from these conditions, you don't get "help" from a neurologist, you get sent to a therapist. Good luck getting stimulant medication as an adult too, and any medication you might be allowed is considered 'psychiatric medication'. I want to be treated as if I have a manageable medical or neurobiological condition, not a psychiatric one. I'm not fighting personal stigma, but systemic ones.

[@RickHasADHD]

Great points! Undiagnosed ADHD can create all manner of trauma or damage to one's confidence, self-esteem, relationships, finances... You name it. That can take time to work through and heal. ut there are some people, (I wish i was one of them) who, after being diagnosed, do better by working with a Certified ADHD coach. Breaking the old patterns, building new habits, getting things done for the first time, can be transformative. And what I love about a coach is that you hire one to help you deal with one or two issues and then move on. It usually doesn't involve years of therapy and digging deep into one's past.

[@1midnightfish]

Thank you. I am currently trying to demonstrate to welfare that my ability to carry out a number of work activities over time is impacted by this condition, which I haven't even been diagnosed with yet (3-year waiting list for ADHD assessments in the UK, and that's for us lucky ones... even longer in some areas). I've never thought of ADHD as a mental illness, even before I started thinking I might have it myself, but it does help to hear you put all this into words, it will make it easier to counter the ignorance and scepticism I keep coming across.

[@AurinneA]

Sometimes I oversimplify and oversimplify some more and oversimplify a bit more on top of that to say that it's like being exceptionally taller than the majority of the population. You don't call that an illness, we don't even call it a condition, it's just a natural variation in humanity, but a rarer one than being "average height range." An exceptionally tall person can still function independently, is still capable, and some may even find it helps them achieve certain things (e.g. being a basketballer or reaching that very high shelf). But that doesn't mean it's not a struggle when they have to squish themselves into very small seats in planes and public transport. Or find it difficult to get clothing, beds and other furniture that are the right size for them - it doesn't mean they're not going to struggle to get a good night's sleep on that family holiday trying to cope with a too-small bed etc. They may even become extremely self-conscious about their height. Society and the environments it creates may not always be easy for an exceptionally tall person, may not easily or even willingly accommodate an exceptionally tall person. They often need to go out of their way to find ways to meet their own needs, and at other times just have to live with the disadvantage. Some may find it has a large impact on their life and others may manage to live confidently and capably. But they will always be an exceptionally tall person. And, in a much more complicated way, that is what ADHD is like. (In case it wasn't clear enough, this isn't supposed to be a perfect analogy for ADHD. This is just, for me, a better starting point for clueless people to understand my brain than calling it a disorder or condition or dysfunction etc. - terms which people tend to have pre-existing associations with that aren't quite right for ADHD. The tallness oversimplification is one of my preferred starting point for understanding, after which more nuance can be developed.)

[@Lynee5290]

Thankyou Rick for all you do! 🙏🏻

[@AdeebaZamaan]

Also, I think it's really attention SURPLUS, not deficit. I was one of those kids who always made straight A's but had to have a novel hidden under my desk, or had to draw while I listened to the lecture, because without something lightweight to which I could divert my attention when the lecture got slow, I couldn't keep my mind on the Main Thing. Since becoming a Law Nerd I've discovered that MANY high functioning people with ADHD have comparable ways of splitting their attention. Also, "squirrel" means you just saw one and got distracted by its antics, not that YOU'RE a squirrel.

[@BeckySmyth-gp4ik]

Same. Excuse me, I see a squirrel…

[@LifeOnHoth]

Classic challenge with ADHD. And one of the things the vast majority of the world's educated (in mental healthcare) use to tell you it can't possibly be it. I can write longer texts. That's one of the reasons I don't have it. But the thing that doesn't show to the reader is how long it took. They called it high functioning. :D. Thank you for that, so-called professionals.

[@amberrussell1386]

I was concerned I had dementia. I couldn't remember whole conversations. And I was constantly distracted by small unimportant things. It was debilitating. Pills help but like I heard on KZbin somewhere: pills don't create skills. My problem now is that I see so many tips, hacks and tricks that I want to try all of them NOW patience has never been my strong point though.

[@RickHasADHD]

Yes! So many of us were worried, terrified even, that we had some kind of dementia. I started wondering in my 20's! Too many fascinating tools and apps and strategies! The best advice I ever got was to, 'Pick one tool, app or practice you think you can stick with' and start using it and stick with it. Then, if it seems to be working, add another. Or, if it doesn't seem to help, drop it and try another.'

[@RichardT2112]

I couldn’t agree more. The term illness implies something that is defective and requires repairing or a re-normalization. As someone with synesthesia, the same could be said about my condition. However, with proper control, I found it incredibly useful. It is sad to say, that anything that diverges from the norm will be cast out….thank-you Mr. Peart for those terrific words of wisdom (Subdivisions by Canadian band RUSH).

[@LifeOnHoth]

synesthesia can be incredibly useful indeed! Rush! It's only a couple of years since I discovered them. Was so sad to realize that by then it was too late to experience one of the world's best musicians live. One of the best drummers imho. Not just because the playing. :).

[@RichardT2112]

@ Fully agree with everything! Roll the bones eh! ;)

[@pulcherius]

I was diagnosed at 6 yrs. It was framed as a mental illness and I was treated as having one. Over the years this gave me an excuse to give up and not bother dealing with it. Recently a few things happened to me that made me feel even more hopeless. I retreated from people and cut social ties. Not anymore, I will make a better effort to cope. Thank again for being encouraging and positive.

[@RickHasADHD]

You are most welcome. I don't suppose it ever really disappears completely, but there is so much that can be done. The only caveat is that we may not remember what a struggle life was like for us 10 years ago. Or even last year.

[@urmaisgay6495]

i used to think adhd was ‘lazy bastard spoiled brat syndrome’ mixed with a little bit of keeping kids inside and making them read books instead of exploring outside. then somebody listed a load of symptoms to me and suddenly all my problems made so much more sense. problems i thought id sorted, turned out i was just hiding from them by limiting my life, other problems that i thought were unfixable turned out that i was just looking st them backwards. i realised that the magical force that was constantly working against me was just my jumbled brain. after a very expensive diagnosis i had pills that allowed me to experience silence for the first time ever, everything seemed brighter, and anything seemed possible and within my grasp. i learned what hope is and i completely changed my life. im still working on it and have hit a roadblock since last summer, but im learning every day. i feel hard done by when i think about how i was undiagnosed for so long simply because i was labelled the quiet weird kid, often by people that shouldve known better; but i dont resent anyone for it and just want to get on with sorting out. i struggle with the idea that im going to have to work hard at it every day just to be almost normal, and it often gets so tiring i need a month off, but i keep pushing.

[@RickHasADHD]

Normal is overrated. I say: Aim for 'coping well.' Doing okay. Safe. Useful. Contributing. Fulfilled. And challenged in a way that makes life interesting.

[@heyokastu2]

i was the last person to know i had ADHD. once my family and friends heard the symptoms they immediately pointed at me. my teachers in school thought my behavior was just a manifestation of my First Nation/native american race so they dismissed me or put me in detention.

[@RickHasADHD]

It's a bit ironic, or at least a bit annoying, that others recognize our ADHD before we do, but it's hardly surprising. It's all we've ever known and naturally we assume everyone thinks, feels, and struggles like we do. On a side-note, It's interesting about the First Nation connection. We're in the final stages of a video titled 'Born On The Wrong Planet?" It explores the idea that the ADHD mindset is suited to the hunter/gatherer nomadic lifestyle. After all, for hundreds of thousands of years humans were very successul hunter/gatherers. In the video I explore some of the connections, inspired by Thom Hartmann's book, 'ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer's World.' Studies have found that nomadic people's, of which there are a few left, have much higher rates of ADHD and higher occurences of some of the genes associated with ADHD.

[@trishferrer8209]

Diagnosed officially at age 40. 😐 What did I think "it" was before I was diagnosed? I was CLUELESS. I had struggled sofa king much, and when I turned 40, was devastated that I still was not thinking or acting like a grownup. I had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression since I was 30, and by 34, hospitalized for those conditions. Nothing helped. Meds gave me headaches and made my appetite vanish, and I couldn't swallow food. NEVER did ADHD cross my mind. This was back in the early 90s, when ppl still thought ADHD affected boys only. I really had no idea. 😢 At 65/retired, I probably need to get back into counseling. Rick, will you please be my therapist?😂 Your videos actually help me a lot! For the moment, anyway.

[@RickHasADHD]

Yeah, most of us are clueless. Or else, we suspect, as I did, that we might have ADHD, but them convince ourselves it can't be, 'But I wasn't acting out in school. I didn't throw tantrums. I could focus just fine on things that interested me..." Sorry, I can't be your therapist, but if you set aside a small portion of what you'd pay for a therapist you could support me so I can keep making videos. We use an app called Patreon which was created by a musician. He wanted fans to be able to support lesser known creators: artists, musicians, bands, writers, etc, who are not operating on a Taylor Swift budget. For example, a woman living in Perth Australia might love a funky New Orleans-based band who make wonderful Zydeco music. But she will never be able to afford to see them live, and the band isn't mainstream enough to tour, expecially travelling to the other side of the world. So the woman supports the band at their Patreon page with a small $$ each month. And of course Patrons get extra benefits. Most of our Patrons contribute between $3 and $10 dollars a month, but a few are able to contribute more. They are all our my heroes.

[@jeffl8725]

Before diagnosis, I thought I was missing a computer chip in my brain.

[@SaltAndVinegar42]

Firstly, thank you. (Secondly, my stomach growled and you said 'oh it's my stomach.. ADHD made it hard to follow after it. 😂 Because I decided on medication and it is not available for over a year!) Mostly I'm glad to have an understanding of this condition. I'm more at peace & ease and reorganise my way of thinking and judging and deciding.

[@missversteherin]

Boy, my life was a rollercoaster ride so far. I am 45, and I am struggling with hyperactivity (mostly internalized by now due to socialisation), disorganisation and general cluelessness. So many therapists and doctors have failed to identify what is happening with me. Depression, depressive episodes, bipolar disorder, histrionic personality disorder, whatever one psychiatrist is familiar with, this must be it. I hate the German health system, it is starved by profit and understaffing. Not a single doctor/therapist knows the whole spectrum, so nobody can do a real differential diagnosis ... So flying under the radar, I feel below my potential, falling behind and so lazy and dumb, as this indicates. But I try so damn hard. This week I started a diagnosis process paying privately myself from the few bugs I have left (resulting from impulsive shopping ... you know), and in the middle it already seems this is it. Everybody says - do not self-diagnose, but in the end nobody else does it. So I am at the beginning of the journey of self-forgiving, repairing my poor self image ... Your videos helped me so much understanding that a) I have it (thanks for the very entertaining and genious "test" by the way

[@RickHasADHD]

Self-diagnosis is tricky. If one suspects they cancer, or an ulcer, or Parkinsons, for example, a proper diagnosis can be a life saver. But there's so much good information around, that rather than wait to find the short waiting list or a clnic, I'm a big fan of learning as much as you can, make notes of what applies to you, and then start trying out some ADHD-friendly strategies and see if they help.

[@missversteherin]

@ oh that‘s definitely true, but since doctors AND I were mistaken so often, I feel the urge to get some professional feedback whether I was right before I invest any more energy. I dumped so much energy into the wrong things.

[@brendalong3852]

I thought I might be an alien. No one thought about things quite like I did. I struggled to fit in and had trouble making and keeping friends. Then in my 60s I got my diagnosis and after reviewing what it was, I could see that I had been ADHA all my life. As a female child in the 50s and 60s, I was punished whenever I "acted up." I learned to hide it early on.

[@LindaengelustrupBlogspot]

I used to think I had an evil mother, then mad cow disease, then alzheimers (early onset) as I learned that granddad had it. Now I love my mother very much, and realize I allways have ❤ I got diaxed as an early adult. Now...I'm still an adult just more vise. I hope.

[@radionoakmont7756]

thank you Mr. Green this does help a lot and i feel more right with myself and the world as well true enlightening video and i will become what i am meant to be much better at everything i love the most, you re a wise man sir.

[@oricouldjustnot]

Sometimes i wish it was an illness but nah, we're in it for life! And I have to say I've grown rather fond of my adhd even if it messes with me sometimes

[@RickHasADHD]

It's a friend/enemy for life. But I have to say, it's not as big a problem as it used to be. Age, yoga, exercise, a healthy diet, reading a lot about ADHD, and various apps have made it far more manageable.

[@pastelpinkappleantlers2512]

Got diagnosed as a child (and didn’t know) and then when I got older (around 20 something years old I got diagnosed…again … I truly thought I had either; 1.brain damage 2.brain tumor 3. Maybe some sort of disease like dementia Nope it was combined ADHD 😅

[@AdeebaZamaan]

I assumed I was half alien. Mama consoled me: "It's different for you, you're an artist." Daddy explained: "The Western mind is linear. The Eastern mind [meaning his and mine] considers things from as many angles as possible."

[@RickHasADHD]

You will love the video we're launching in the next few weeks, 'Born on the Wrong Planet.' It's reeeeeaaaalllyyy interesting and will give you a very intriguing view of this 'Disorder.'

[@alisonwhou]

Rick, I love your videos so much! Your jokes make me laugh! I've also learned a lot about myself by watching your content. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

[@RickHasADHD]

You're welcome!

[@shawnholbrook7278]

diagnosed in my late 40's I am probably Autistic as well. I just knew I was different, I felt like an alien, learning languages and dialects to get along. I also double-check everything because forgetting sucks.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Same, same, same!

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

... and I love hydrangeas! (if that's what that is in your picture) 😊

[@LifeOnHoth]

It's just social anxiety. It's just depression. It's just oh.. my favorite word - it's just social anxiety. Not to forget, it's just stress. Obviously I was born anxious and depressed! I am being sarcastic because I am pissed off for the 41st year and counting (luckily). I believe this answers your questions in the end. 40 years of being through that socalled mental healthcare system a few times we have here (not in USA) leaves you branded and deemed a lost investment that is written off. There is no help to get. Nah. These guys knows best despite only seeing a fraction of your life. I am not social anxious. I like to be around people. I love it actually. It always drains me tho. But I am not afraid of being judged by others despite the low self-esteem challenges. Am I stressed and anxious and depressed? Occationally. That's the times I've seeked help. And the really bad tragedy is that those things I mention is seen as isolated diagnoses that is to be treated. But it's just putting out fires that start to burn again after a while because you never managed to get help helping the real issue. Tired I am.

[@Arfonfree]

YES! Although I claim my hair has turned blond, not grey. I used to think it was all the usual crud which is summed up by incompetence (despite my test results) then I thought it was bipolar, but those meds made things worse.

[@RickHasADHD]

My hair started turning gray in my 30's. Then a lovely woman friend said, "You're not grey-haired. You're an Arctic Blonde." 😊

[@Patricia-vd9xh]

ADHD is a different kind of brain that thinks differently than what is identified as normal. One is born this way and medication makes it easier to function in our society.

[@RickHasADHD]

And the most common 'stimulant' that people with ADHD rely on is caffeine. Nicotine comes in second.

[@StarPlaty]

I thought it was just my personality - the social aspects, mostly. In terms of school (& work), I presumed it was just the social system working against my way of thinking. That's why, despite being very intelligent in the moment (according to some), I struggled with the long-term requirements of many things (including friendships). Then after acquiring an actual illness - a syndrome that mucks with your body as well as your brain - I began to see myself differently. The social system still sucked, but for a different reason. I tried to work within it instead of against it but the 2nd disability just got worse... and that's when I was suspected of being aspie... which, from my own knowledge of it from family members, I vehemently rejected. But I learned of Inattentive ADHD around then and after some research decided that's probably what I had. And then 2 years later, I was diagnosed with it by a psychiatrist.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

My husband encouraged me to go talk to someone because he thought I was Aspe... turns out I have Inattentive ADHD, too!

[@HåkonOdinsson]

It isn’t, but sometimes you get accused of having a mental illness by those that do not understand

[@sandrinowitschM]

It's either that or being accused of having massive character flaws.

[@HåkonOdinsson]

@ yes, there’s that as well. With me, I’ve been accused of being a drama queen, childish, attention seeker, selfish etc, especially in meltdown mode. Bloody well hard enough having to deal with it all, then get others misinterpreting and dismissing your attempts at trying to explain (over explain for me). I’m both adhd and autistic (although currently on the waiting list for a diagnosis- which I’d like, to enable doors - currently closed - of further support to open). Hope that life is treating you ok, and not too hard for you

[@Dancestar1981]

Absolutely

[@RickHasADHD]

​@@HåkonOdinsson Yes, we can be very reactive. There's a term, 'Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria' that describes the over-reacton to criticism. It's not an official diagnosis, but many people with ADHD have grabbed onto it, as it really describes what they struggle with. By the way, I suspect I have a touch of Aspegers, which I know is politically incorrect. Recently, Dr. Thomas Brown, the creator of the Browns Rating Scale for diagnosing ADHD, and numerous books about ADHD, has suggested that Asperger's and Austim are different and should be treated as such. It's another one of those issues that will take time to resolve. In the meantime, keep moving forward and try to ignore or shrug off the dismissiveness from others. I have dealt with it and I've come to the conclusion that sceptics, doubters, and haters either have no idea what ADHD is, or they have it themselves, and so when you describe the symptoms and struggles they think, "Well, that's normal!" Because it's their 'normal.'

[@AThirstyPhilosopher]

I’m confused as to why ASD and ADHD still appear in the DSM. They’re not mental illnesses.

[@missversteherin]

@@AThirstyPhilosopher I assume it comes with good will. Many health ensurance concepts rely on something being an illness to get treatment. It is the same with being gender disphoric. If there wasn‘t something to „heal“ (hormones, surgery), you would not receive any treatment. It‘s a legal „power“ given to you to insist on ensurances and doctors having to „treat“ you. It‘s more a legal thing. So we should tolerate the wording for better legal support.

[@verymuchgerman]

Thank you

[@susannekottsieper754]

Your ideas are intersting and almost true .....but in some ways you are wrong. •There are illnes/sicknes that get chronical. •There are illnes that does not get cured (till now).... its just possible to hold the symtoms down with medivation (hiv). I have adhs, get diagnosed with 54, 4 Years ago ...... and now the Doktor think that i also have Autism. At all: the adhs diagnosis make me feel like i get a Instruktion-use-book for myself, that i never had. From that on my life get So much brighter and happyer ...... it was a ..... liberation! If our scools, the medical and sozial System wasnt so ill and freaky, i know i dont need a Diagnose (of illnes) at all ...... but: when you dont fit in, you get pressure, if this doesent work the scool System floats ya to the edge ...... from this there is no escape and no cure if you not able to help yourself in a conductiv way (no drugs ect). That works even with all the comorbid illnes you may collect while this time (Depression, ptba, Suicide, all kind of Abuses, aso). Sorry for my horrible Englisch. Greetings from Dortmund, Germany 🌸

[@youtubeuser2191]

Rick, or anyone else, How do I do things? How do I build discipline while having ADHD? my longest streak of doing something I dont want to do is usually 3 months. My record is a painfully depressing 2 years of working out 6 days a week. It was hard every single day.

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

When you find out, let me know, because that is THE hardest thing for me as well, especially with my schedule. Maybe try to commit to just 3 times per week? Have you tried stimulant medication?

[@shannigans8]

It would be nice if we could cure it 😔. Although we probably wouldn’t have the world we do without ADHD when it comes to creativity, problem solving, etc.

[@gorkemvids4839]

I think adhd is an evolutionary trait. We'll thrive in times of hardship, war or any survival situation. Evolution didn't erase this trait for a reason. Let long term hard studiers invest their money in 10 year long studies or businesses. We'll fight and survive and we'll enjoy it.

[@cornpop4730]

Control for environmental factors and it doesnt exist. You have no argument at all.

[@WayneMcFarlane-w4j]

What?

[@MsGenXodus]

If you believe that ADHD doesn't exist because "everyone is like that," there's a good chance that YOU have ADHD.

[@RickHasADHD]

None? Wow. Also, I wasn't arguing. I was just addressing a common misconception that has people avoid looking into the possibility that they have ADHD. As for enviromental factors, there is a ton of research that shows that ADHD is driven by genes. Which is why you often have 4 siblings who are raised in the same home, by the same parents, eat the same diet, the same amount of activity, and only one or two of the kids have ADHD. This is driven by genes and runs through generations. In fact, 'Who else in your family is like this?' is a standard question for someone seeking a diagnosis.

[@miriam4235]

Before I was diagnosed? I genuinely believed I was stupid, my grades confirmed that. Professionals labelled me with depression, personality disorder, anxiety. Yet, no intervention on those things really helped. So I concluded I was so broken even mental health professionals couldn't help me. But then social media algorithms figured out I was neuro divergent. I realised it was ADHD and suddenly my whole life made sense. And correct treatment is life changing. But as you said, the scars of going undiagnosed still run deep. ❤️‍🩹

[@kittymccatcat953]

Are you in the US? What kind of treatment have you found?

[@miriam4235]

I'm in the Netherlands. Stimulant medication thus far feels like my brain actually works for the first time in my life. I've started the medication a short while ago, but the way I now look at myself, my life until now and my hope for the future has already shifted tremendously in a very positive way.

[@lp4265]

@miriam4235 I hear you ! My parents and their parents graduated from Stanford……and then there’s me. I barely made it to first year university…but then never went back. “Squirrels running through my brain” and as hard as i concentrated, i still could not stop them. 😂 But now that we have brilliant channels like this, I don’t feel so alone or crazy !

[@andrewhkim]

Can you elaborate more on how the scars of going undiagnosed still affect you, even after life-changing treatment/meds? Thanks!

[@Crimsonisthekey]

Personality disorder?? Eek.