Ask Adam Savage: "Is ADHD a Positive or Negative for Makers?"

In this excerpt from our Jan. 11 live stream, Adam answers three Tested member questions: Does he still smoke (as seen on MythBusters)? Does he think ADHD is an issue or a positive for makers? And does he generally improve on his and Mrs. Donttrythis' furniture? Thank you, Jordon Freeman, Sean Vedell and Eric Hass, for your support and questions! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam a question: / @tested
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[@RPRsChannel]

Speaking of phrases Adam....."I reject your reality and substitute my own" ? In RedLetterMedia's latest video; they talked about this, that it's not your quote, it's from the trashy movie "DungeonMaster"(1984)that they were reviewing. EVERYONE has at one point thought this came from your brain, and maybe even at one point; you did also? It's REAL ORIGIN is from an episode of Dr.Who(1974).

[@pacovasda5955]

As an ADHD patient I can't help but agree with how important what Adam is saying is about our labeling, self-labeling and societal labeling by terms like affliction or suffer or these other terms that apply to different types of human conditions like ADHD, dyslexia or other conditions that are about how we different individuals are hyper focused and focused limited which may be an extreme blessing to one person because of how they've been able to construct their life to deal with it while those same focus differences can be such a curse to another person with the same medical label like ADHD or... Society needs to come up with a new word to represent something that affects us that we may not want to call an affliction or suffering through or blessed by. A ter m that applies to condition affliction whatever regardless of whether that is positive or negative for you as an individual so that we can communicate about it just like Adam is talking about.

[@pacovasda5955]

@@RPRsChannel as Adam has referenced and pointed out to us before. That's why Adam uses that tone every time he says it is to clarify his reference to this something that we all are familiar with.

[@RPRsChannel]

@@pacovasda5955 Yeah, if we do an online survey, 95% will think Adam came up with that. I actually told friends about this revalation about this quote-that it was not his-but from Dr. Who and they all, one and all, said "then why does he pass it off as his own, and not say 'To quote Dr.Who:' "?

[@crookedclown1987]

I have really severe ADHD and I've found that the difference between whether it's a blessing or curse is in the severity. If it's too much I can't get even the simplest task completed and if I have none I find most of my creative flair goes with it. For me the key seems to be having some but not a lot of it for best effect, something I struggle to get just right to this day.

[@curiousfirely]

The fact that Adam briefs venue staff at his live shows about how to work with people on the Autism spectrum is beyond amazing. If more people took the time to understand others like that (Edit: let's make that wording, perhaps 'people with different needs'), our world would be a better place.

[@problemwithauthority]

If more people took the time to understand others, our world would be a better place. By using the terms "like that", when refering to people, it may help perpetuate the stigma that there is something wrong with those "like that". "Like that" easily translates to "those people" and it is a way to compartmentalize people because of a trait/characteristic that is misunderstood. Intentional or by accident the outcome may still create an unexpected result.

[@curiousfirely]

@@problemwithauthority Entirely accidental. I think a result of me trying really hard to make it understandable, and avoid jargon. Thanks for calling me out - it is only with discomfort that we learn.

[@awesomedavid2012]

@@problemwithauthority and policing language is the first restriction the human soul. Rather than force the rest of the world to change how they talk, change how you interpret what they say. You KNOW they didn't intend to be rude so don't interpret it as being rude. If you want to convict people for thought-crime then we have much bigger things to worry about. By behaving this way, you let these phrases and words have power. Know why cracker isn't considered a racial slur that people get upset by? Because no one cares. No one says "omg you can't say that". No one is offended by cracker so no one uses it as a racial slur. If you want to stop stigmatory language, start by acting as if the language isn't stigmatory to begin with. Make it your own and change what it means. Then, you don't have to oppress speech and you take away the power from the phrases. Words aren't magic. The same word can have 1000 meanings. But it depends on how you interpret it, regardless of what the implication is. But if we censor our speech because it can be misinterpreted, then no one can say anything because everything can be misinterpreted by someone to be offensive. Everything.

[@problemwithauthority]

@@awesomedavid2012 a couple decades ago in college, I had a professor who made this statement to the class. papraphrased " In communication there is always a sender and a receiver. It is the senders burden to make sure the message is received as intended. it is the receiver's burden to let the sender know if there is problem with the reception of the message."

[@problemwithauthority]

@@curiousfirely Please don't miss understand the intent of my message. (purposefully omitted the term YOU) It was not to "call you out", but it was intended for all who may read it to learn how easy it is to change how we look upon our friends, neighbors and family.

[@davidp2888]

"Is it good or is it bad?" "It just is." ^^^^^^^^ THIS!!

[@Flarexxxx]

as someone with ADHD i feel like adam nails it, nither good or bad, at times its useful and others its not

[@CharlieQuartz]

I do feel like that was the point of the question, though. They didn’t ask if ADHD was overall a good or bad thing in life, which is so much more complicated. They asked if Adam thought ADHD was good or bad for being a maker, i.e. are the conditions of ADHD overall useful or not for a maker in their craft? Adam took the words as value judgements, but I don’t think the questioner meant it as such, but very much as you put it, useful or not in the context of being a maker. Maybe that’s too complicated a question to answer in general since everyone experiences ADHD individually, but it’s a different sort of answer.

[@LMFAO5001]

I agree having adhd is just going to the same destination but taking a different road. Not exactly positove or negative since you get there anyway

[@zaksrdanovich9649]

Adhd for a maker just causes a messy workspace, but at the same time i feel like it makes you more fixated on what your making and better at it lol

[@jiggles4925]

I found it best described as an overabundance of attention, just the attention is distributed differently. That helped me cope with my diagnosis.

[@LMFAO5001]

thats good. i was 18 when i was diagnosed even though it was almost literally painfully obvious. it helps to know so i can help myself.

[@joellebrooke42]

I got teary-eyed at the end. Thank you for putting in the extra effort for your neurodivergent fans!! Thank you. Seriously, thank you.

[@jeremiahduffy1932]

im so happy im not the only person shedding a tear over this

[@leehillaby1706]

Just Googled this. Tying to learn.

[@elenakennedy5725]

I don't comment often, but I came to the comments to say this.

[@BostjanKl]

It's so refreshing to see someone talk about "disabilities" like ADHD, dyslexia, etc. just as a number character traits we might have. I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia very early on in life, but thankfully never saw myself as being "broken". Sure, it was obvious I couldn't read as fast or as well as my piers, but at the same time I often found I could process information faster, in larger quantities and in an overall different way than them. By understanding how my brain worked I was able to outperform my piers, graduate high-school with top-marks and get into med-school where I've been a straight A student for the past 4 years. Hell, I've even fallen in love with books and writing (coincidentally, it was Adam's recommendation of the Martian audiobook which first sparked my interest in literature. So thanks for that) and am now in the editing stage of my first ever novel. I can't begin to describe how many times I've heard "But how are you going to be able to handle med-school and/or writing with your dyslexia?" from family, friends and even teachers. With so much negative feedback I often times second-guessed the choices I made or was too cautious about project ideas out of worry that "they weren't suited for a dyslexic like me". So thank you Adam for talking positively about these "disabilities" and giving people hope that they aren't broken. I really hope someday I'll have a platform where I can spread this same message! Keep up the awesome videos!

[@awesomedavid2012]

I personally wouldn't even hide from the word. Think about it, we all lack abilities others have. Many people can't even imagine doing calculus, many people can't write an essay. That's a disability by defintion. Just rather than compared to the average it's compared to someone else. I think people need to not treat words as if they have magical properties. If you change how you use and interpret words then their meanings change. And this is inherently why we need to view the world on an individual level rather than a group level. Because everyone is unique everyone has some disability relative to other people. If you just shove people into "white" or "tall" or "disables" you miss out on infinite complexity

[@briangreen3626]

I’m excited to hear Adams take on ADHD and Dyslexia. I was diagnosed as a freshman in HS and never really was taught to “deal” with it. I just pushed on, worked harder on reading and stuck in my lane. Joined the Military and have had an average career. However I have felt I’m not doing what I should be doing. That I have a different calling. Has anyone found books, blogs or podcasts that cover dyslexia exactly?

[@BostjanKl]

@@awesomedavid2012 I agree with your point on the interpretation of words. That's exactly why I found this video important, because it helps to chip away at the mystery and stigma associated with ADHD and Dyslexia.

[@BostjanKl]

@@briangreen3626 I'd recommend you check out the TEDx-Talks videos here on KZbin, if I remember right I found those pretty useful. As for how to "deal" with Dyslexia, personally I wouldn't try just pushing through it and reading harder because it just doesn't work. My workaround is using text-to-speech software when I need to take in large amounts of text-based information. This has proven especially useful in the context of Med-school. Other than that I also tend to steer clear of all written media in general, so 99% of my media consumption is made up of youtube videos, audiobooks and podcasts. Hope this helps. :)

[@gadget2622]

We really need to remove the stigma of the word. I have ADHD. I have a disability. My brain doesn't produce the right amount of neurotransmitters and so I receive treatment to help deal with that. It doesn't reduce my value as a person it's just a reality of my existence. My ADHD can impair my function but it is also responsible for a lot of what makes me the way I am. I'm not ashamed to know I have it and I'm not ashamed to let others know, the more people who are aware of conditions that may be affecting their quality of life the better, as it allows them to seek the necessary help. No one is perfect and pretending to be only hurts you in the long run.

[@drewbacca1981]

Listening to Adam talk about ADHD truly drives home him having ADHD.

[@glenngriffon8032]

i like his comparison to D&D. I've always dealt with my social anxiety by pretending I'm someone else. Slip into a character of my social persona or something. It's not something a lot of people can do, I can do it because I have something of an adaptive personality, or a chameleonic personality. I disassociate myself from myself without becoming a different personality entirely. Some chameleon people will unconsciously adopt the habits and mannerisms of the people they interact with, even down to adopting accents. And like Adam says it can be really hard to use language to describe these things without making them seem like negative or harmful traits. Going back to the D&D analogy I try not to consider my own ADHD and chameleonic quirks as negatives, I try to see them as character flaws. And even the word "flaw" carries negative association but it's also a cornerstone of character development. A character who has no flaws is boring but someone who is flawed in some way we can see helps us empathize with the character, we can relate to things. Flaws help a character to have depth and substance and humanity. So I do not "suffer" from ADHD, I have ADHD. It is a part of me, it is a trait. It is a piece of who I am whoever that may be. I am not "afflicted" with a chameleonic personality, I am a social chameleon.

[@piratetv1]

​@@glenngriffon8032 i do that too, mostly at work. I hated talking on the phone so i put on a bit of a radio announcers voice. It didn't feel like me so it was easier.

[@glenngriffon8032]

@@piratetv1 Exactly. It's a useful skill to develop, especially for speaking to strangers in public.

[@EvilCoffeeInc]

When I was diagnosed with ADHD, it put into context for me a lot of behaviours I exhibit. I was tempted to say "Oh, all these things I considered personality traits were just ADHD" but the thing is, I've never NOT had it. These things don't exist independently of us, they're part of who we all are. And in realizing that it's made it easier to recognize the positives and negatives ADHD has on my life in a detached way.

[@SuperDrummerJay]

This is something I've had to come to terms with as well. Diagnosed at 38. It wasn't like having a cold, or needing glasses, similar aspects of personality that can be picked to turn on/off/improve etc. I'm very artistic, musical, I think outside the box. But I also have poor impulse control, sense of time, and am very introverted. You can't just turn off ADHD, and select which parts of your personality to keep while casting out others. When/If you learn that you have ADHD, you can work better within that operating system you've been given.

[@Raju-rx7ed]

as a person with adhd i love this episode because you explain how its not always a negative, which many people dont get, i wouldnt be myself without my overenergetic excitement and other qualities that are all due to my adhd, i wouldnt give it up for anything even if it poses great troubles at times.

[@MrCumberlander1]

Yeah it's a complicated question. The honest answer to "Is ADHD a Positive or Negative" is yes. It's both, at different times. It's entirely unpredictable.

[@nanark]

"I do not smoke... cigarettes... anymore" :D

[@qanon1286]

🍁 🔥 🤤

[@cavemanvi]

I want to know the glass Adam smokes out of..

[@thorzyan]

"Cigarette" with Dave Chapelle. 😉🌬💨☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

[@robertmclean6629]

“Left handed” cigarettes you say?

[@fishstix4209]

How can you tell if someone smokes herb? They clarify cigarettes when talking about smoking. Purely cig smokers don't make that clarification. I see you Adam and I tip my hat to the creative process.

[@iSchmidty13]

I have ADD, and it was crippling to my academic career early on. Once I figured out tricks of now to do thinks that don’t interest me at all, I was able to get back on track. I’ve gotta say though, I think my ADD is very useful in my artwork. I can’t focus on things that don’t interest me, but I can get completely lost in stuff that does. Building things, fixing things, artwork, etc; once I find an angle that grabs my attention, I’m a machine!

[@ScottHebert604]

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday at home depot that said 'AD⚡HD' and that's the only thing that might be going on my car

[@drewt3210]

I have a friend with that shirt. #sorad

[@CF-bg3jd]

Cringe

[@shardperson3777]

As someone with very intense ADHD symptoms, there's no way it could even approach being a positive, it makes personal hygiene hell to maintain, it's hard to do *anything* at all no matter how much i like the thing in question or how much i want it, and even medicated it's impossible to maintain any sort of routine, so working regularly is impossible, and even through all of this it's not recognized as a disability, it's really terrible. An analogy i've seen recently is "it's like being unable to get up for hours because a kitten is sleeping on your lap, except there's no kitten and you're really uncomfortable"

[@NetAnon]

Where do you live or what circumstances is are you in that ADHD not considered a disability? At the university I attend it is considered a disability.

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

@@NetAnon sure schools often recognize it but the rest of the world doesn't.

[@staglite]

My Dr. that specialized in ADHD adults had to pretty much disown his own son as he was so ADHD that he was untreatable and a total disruption to their families daily life. One of the saddest stories I know of the ADHD world.

[@shardperson3777]

@@NetAnon I did incredibly well in school thanks to hyperfocusing on stuff so the primary metric used to diagnose it is out the window. Beyond that, cases where someone has gotten disability aid for ADHD literally make the news cuz it just doesn't happen. I mean, I literally can barely function because of ADHD and I've been fighting for a diagnosis for 2 years, even if I got it, all the paperwork and legal stuff you have to go through to get disability aid is extremely inaccessible for someone with ADHD (specially since my symptoms as I grew up changed to fit the Primarily Inattentive type which is like, all of the executive dysfunction with none of the quick thinking) For the record, I live in Spain, AFAIK it's just as hard to get a diagnosis as an adult (or really if ur symptoms dont fit the stereotypical idea of "distracted kid") in the rest of the world, but for disability aid I have no idea how it is outside spain

[@SeanVedell]

@@shardperson3777 Disability aid for ADHD? Wouldn’t that be nice? An official diagnosis would give you access to meds but otherwise you don’t need it to make changes or to start treating yourself. Ritalin is a stimulant but so is caffeine. Try a really high dose caffeine drink and see if you feel more focused after you gun it down. When you say your ADHD makes it so you can’t function I’m not sure what that means. Yes, each of us has a different level or combination of the things that encompass ADHD but I wasn’t diagnosed until my mid thirties and by then I had a decent career in Radio, a wife and three kids. Also, why won’t your doctor test you or send you to someone who will?

[@droueche58]

ADHD is, fundamentally, an impairment to executive function, and there's plenty of literature out there on what all that means exactly. It doesn't sound like a good thing, and indeed it isn't, but it's also something that people (including me) deal with from no fault of their own, so yes, there's no reason to be ashamed of it. It's just there, we deal with it. But all the things typically symptomatic of ADHD are just that: symptoms - symptoms of executive function impairment. Fidgeting, inability to focus, stay on track, hyper, etc are symptomatic of the brain's struggle to pick an appropriate track for the circumstances and stay on it. My ADHD tends to manifest as brain fog, inability to decide things or start (or finish) projects, and constant low-grade anxiety. All of these have been helped with medication. Just know what it is, how it might affect you and the people around you, and shore up any potential weak points you might have from it. It's not always easy, but being a whole, healthy human inside rarely is.

[@hadinossanosam4459]

8:12 "We all swim in the water of the full confluence of our personalities" That is such a great quote! ...and a good analogy for how swimming in it, we can't really tell it's there, but it's still real and it matters, and I really need to get my water tested, it's been off recently ;I

[@doodoobrown3928]

my adhd helps me hyper focus on projects then get hella distracted in 2 seconds lmao.

[@SeanVedell]

I’m so happy you answered my question and gave ADHD a bit of the spotlight. I really wasn’t saying that I think of ADHD as good or bad overall. I’m 58 years old and I was diagnosed in my mid thirties (Adam, there’s still time to get diagnosed!!) and not only have I got great treatment but I’ve become very self aware of all the aspects of my version of ADHD. It’s lovely and charitable that you talk about being ADHD as just being who I am but I can tell you from hard earned experience that there absolutely are positive and very negative aspects to this disorder (medical definition, not judgement). Endless creativity, hyper focus on a thing that excites us, deep empathy and the ability to think in a way that doesn’t even acknowledge there is a box. Then there’s the challenges, since you don’t like the word negatives...impatience, impulsiveness that can border on recklessness, the inability to recognize social cues, and so much more. Yes, these are the waters someone with ADHD swims in but saying it that way doesn’t make keeping your head above those waters any easier. I love your unconditional acceptance of those who are unique. I hope others learn from your view on this and look at us with a little more awareness. I guess I should have asked the question better because I was really looking to hear how you became so self aware and have dealt with your impulsiveness over the years. Finally, to all those commenting here that have ADHD, it isn’t a show stopper. You can be successful and thrive. Ask Adam, ask Elon Musk, ask Steve Letarte and Clint Bowyer for you NASCAR fans....or just ask me.

[@nubbetudde8922]

I just want's to add a few things about ADHD You just have to learn what your strength and weaknesses is and use your strength and handel your weaknesses (honestly this works for all people with or without a diagnosis) The more I have learned about myself the less complicated my life has become. And it has become less hard to reach my goals. (still not easy thou). Sorry for some strange grammar English is not my first language. Btw Put one person with Autism and one with ADHD in a room toss them an unsolved problem and lock the door. One of two things will probably happen. One: they kill each other. Two: they present a new solution to the problem, and its done in a very orderly way... :-)

[@SeanVedell]

@@nubbetudde8922 I work with Autistic people all the time. I have ADHD. No one has ever died. I’m hoping that comment was a language issue or just lack of creativity in making your point.

[@SuperDrummerJay]

Diagnosed at 38 here. We all have strengths (musical, creative, think outside the box) as well as weakness (sense of time, executive functioning, planning). You have to leverage the strengths you have, to even out the weaknesses. Being a maker, it might be the initial concept designs or rendering. Something that requires a creative thinker, with a vision for something that hasn't been seen or done before. Then, hand it off to someone that can plan, works well with deadlines, and can produce the idea from there. I can sketch out ideas, pull thoughts from my head and put it to a piece of paper. But having the ability to plan the steps beyond that are not my strength. But there are people who have that strength, yet lack the initial creative idea. You have to just work hard at finding your niche. Having ADHD doesn't open a ton of doors, without closing some others. You just have to put 110% effort into those areas where the doors open for you.

[@nubbetudde8922]

@@SeanVedell Well it is probably a sign of my dark humor, but I have seen the problem in coping with each other first hand, but i also have great experinces from problemsolving with one of my best friends who is autistic. One of the worse cases I've seen on the other hand was one of my friends servicedesk teams he had to have the two guys on either side of him else they started to fight physicaly, fairley young guys... And yes English is not my native language so I hope what I'm writing isn't to hard to understand.

[@PuncakeLena]

I never knew there were top level, real life racing drivers with neurodivergency

[@jacobellinger8027]

Short answer is it's a really powerful motivator if crafting is what you have passion for as you can become so raptured by your work that time flies and you get stuff done quickly. on the other hand staying organized and remembering where your tools are can be hard.

[@kmodo93]

6:10 "We all have our crap." My favorite thing to say is "Everyone is crazy, some just hide it better than others."

[@taylorjtaylorj]

As someone diagnosed with high functioning ASD and ADHD I appreciate your understanding and caring towards disAbilities

[@Jaxam01]

The cop show set in Baltimore is Homicide: Life on the Street. Love that show!

[@Rockhopper1]

Would it be possible to do a segment on things that people struggling with mental over lockdown, especially creative things, with minimal tools, thank you,

[@MikeyBats]

Yes....

[@MrAwesome583]

Hearing Adam talk about ADHD in this way really helps me embrace it as part of my person. Thanks Adam, you truly are a great role model

[@evilgenius97]

As someone with ADHD, if its a Positive or Negative the answer is Yes.

[@a-a-rondavis9438]

If it's a question, then it wouldn't be a positive.

[@FredzDimension]

As a fan of you specifically on the spectrum, this was very encouraging, mythbusters, especially your antics on the show helped me recover from a dark part of my life

[@86fifty]

Man, the idea of being a D&D character with a list of qualities makes TOTAL SENSE in my head! It is SO SWEET and meaningful for Adam's team to have talked to venue staff about the neuroatypical population of the audience?? That REALLY shows the maker mindset of 'see a need, fill a need' (yes the quote is from Robots the movie XD) in ways you wouldn't initially expect! And omg, the difference between Adam thinking hard about changing your mindset to BECOME a non-smoker... and then doing the honestly-kind-of-offended face-crinkle at the idea of his partner getting mad about him modifying furniture! XDDD It's like a breath of fresh air to hear Adam talk about collaboration in a marriage as if it's a given, expected sorta thing. High emotional intelligence from being raised by, and now married to, a therapist! XD

[@savethefantasticfour292]

As someone about your age who has both ADD and Dyslexia, I can tell you it is both a blessing and a curse. There are days when I can't focus on anything but likewise hyperfocus is a real thing too. It has likely led me to tackle many more things in my life than I otherwise would. Like I have heard you talk about, I love gaining skills even though my attention rarely lasts long before I am off to something new.

[@TheBluealan2000]

Hearing your response to the ADHD question and expanding on the subject was great. A brilliant considered opinion, that any aspect of our mind or body can be a positive and a negative is great.

[@akmartinez419]

As a mom to two with ADHD and ASD, THANK YOU for proactively thinking of people like them when it comes to your shows. This makes a world of difference for accessibility.

[@AtaGunZ]

Having ADHD, I can say it was mostly negative (for what I wanted to be in life) when I didn't have any prescribed medication . But the medication definitely helps focusing on things, and at that point it's just a trait you have.

[@gadget2622]

How good is medication aye. Undiagnosed for 27 years and bam, start medication and life is looking up.

[@BabyMakR]

Speaking from experience, you can definitely have ADHD as an adult. I was diagnosed at 14. I started getting treated and my grades at school went up, I stopped getting distracted and stopped distracting others. Then I turned 16 and the doctors said without any testing or even an interview, "You're 16, you don't have ADHD any more". Right at the start of my last year in high school. So my grades go down, I get distracted and distract others. Now I don't wish to change the past because I'm happy where I am. I have a beautiful wife and 3 wonderful kids, but I do sometimes wonder where I could have gone if my treatment hadn't arbitrarily been stopped. About 10 years ago I discussed it with my doctor and how my treatment had been stopped. His response was "That's BS, lets get you tested". I got tested, confirmed that yes I still have ADHD, and started treatment again. My work performance improved, my home life improved and I'm much happier.

[@DanielMores]

After a few years of smoking I realized that I was heading down a path towards lung cancer. And that scared me. It the fear got stronger and I imagined myself wheezing my life away painfully ... I just sort of stopped mid-day, mid-cigarette and never looked back.

[@Oldstudent42]

THANK YOU!! My eldest child was diagnosed with ADHD at age 30. What was first diagnosed as "depression", is now being treated correctly. It's made a great difference in their life and outlook. (btw - they are also a fantastic cosplayer)

[@mooniejohnson]

I have bipolar, and it's... taken its toll on myself, but hearing you, Adam (one of idols, and not sucking up just because we have the same name) say that "it just IS" actually helped. I still go to therapy, I still take my meds, but to hear someone you look up to say that something like ADHD or depression "just IS" gave me... ahhhh, I teared up a bit, but it helped in a very solid way. Thank you.

[@redhotswing]

Adam: Let us consider ourselves as human beings the way we consider our characters in Dungeons & Dragons. Me: Hell yes. Hit me, dealer!

[@EasyHeat]

I suffer from ADHD, as well as some other acronyms. I absolutely love this somewhat uncanny "Grey Jedi" philosophical overview. Thank you Adam. May the force be with you... Always.

[@MayimHastings]

All of the struggles I’ve had from being on the autism spectrum have only made me stronger in the end. It just takes time to learn how to ease, or outsmart your own brain. Life is what you make of it! Thank you so much for being our stand in Dad! You have helped me more than I can say ❤️🙏

[@mrwehethefourth]

I’m so excited to hear you talk about adhd. I was diagnosed as a high schooler and I have always strongly identified with your approach to building and repairing things as well as your organization. Both in struggles and successes. I have developed my own (healthy) coping methods over the years but it is always refreshing to see someone successful being up things that I have struggled with also

[@jeremygagnon9277]

I too was diagnosed with adhd as a young man. I find that it has been a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it has played part in me learning a great many different skills as a builder. I'm always learning new skills, or discovering new tools. The curse comes from starting dozens of different projects at a time, getting bored fairly quickly, and moving onto another project without finishing the first one. Also I end up buying many-many tools to accompany the many-many skills I have learned, that I end up using sometimes only once, or go years in between using.

[@HERETIC529]

Personally I find mine to be a double edged sword, my creativity can run wild but my follow through falls to crap. But as it is a spectrum your results may vary

[@alexandravisnick]

The other issue with asking someone if a part of their being is a positive or a negative is that it assumes they know what it's like to not have it. Sometimes there is no frame of reference to adequately access such things.

[@erhmegherd5102]

On the smoking topic, I hear your point loud and clear about the rituals of smoking. Some of my most valued conversations happened casually over a smoke.

[@loraleitourtillottwiehr2473]

Thank you! As the parent of people with ADHD and Autism I so appreciate your response to this question, the care you took with your words and the effort you've clearly made to understand how these things work. My kids are makers and fans of yours and you inspire their creativity and scientific curiosity. I appreciate that too.

[@jeffreykipperman6894]

Adam, I have dealt with (almost said suffered, thank you for changing my language!) depression on and off for the last 15 years, and still sometimes feel embarrassed about it. Hearing you talk about it so openly makes me feel better about what I have to deal with. This is why I love your channel. As much as I enjoy hearing you talk about your craft and learn from watching your builds, I love even more learning from the wisdom that inevitably flows out of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing a piece of yourself with the rest of us!

[@Saxonite_]

Well said from the colourful mind & man of Adam Savage. As someone with 'high functioning' autism I found your effort & care in putting the most accurate message forward, while unscrupulously correcting (or rather rewording) where you felt necessary, quite touching. I found this video after searching for if you were on the spectrum yourself as I saw some ques (that I may well have misread). And that comes after I (19yo) & two of my friends, a roofer (16yo) & a joiner (17yo) had a conversation over cigarettes today after work about near enough this topic. I knew the joiner had ADHD as he's open and it's fairly obvious if you know what to look for while during the conversation I found out that the roofer actually has dyslexia, which I never knew. It just goes to show that everyone's characteristics can be given a label, some are permenant and others temporary but most importantly, everyone has something. Thank you to whomever read this far, peace ✌️

[@xander407]

I have watched a huge percentage of your videos at this point and I admire you and your skills greatly But this is my favorite video to date. The thoughtfulness in your perspective is that extra spark that makes you stand out and keeps us coming back for more

[@Darkbirdy]

I have been formally diagnosed with both ADHD and autism. My wife with ADHD. My youngest son with ADHD. My older son with autism. I have spent a lifetimes living with, dealing with, and learning about these things. Here's my perspective: People with neurological differences are just that - different. Different strengths, different weaknesses. Different views and ways of thinking. Different approaches to the same problem. On the whole it balances out. But there's more to it than that. While our society is built around 'normal', people have started to recognize the value in having different types of people working together. Skill and knowledge otherwise equal, three 'normal' people working on a project will always be at a disadvantage to a team of a normal person, an ADHD person, and an autistic person. From variety comes adaptability, flexibility, and strength. To put it in nerd terms, every version of Star Trek had a crew that was stronger because it had a mix of humans, Klingons, Vulcans, Trill, and other races working together, each with their own individual strengths and weaknesses. They're stronger together because they take advantage of each other's strengths and bolster each other's weaknesses. But at no point did humans consider Vulcans 'afflicted' with being Vulcan, or Klingons as being disabled because they don't act human. An ADHD creator, or an autistic creator, is simply different in myriad ways.

[@miranda6063]

always nice to hear reassuring words from someone who has so clearly played into their strengths and become successful because of it. i'm young and still have dips in self confidence about my adhd so this perspective was really lovely to hear. also myth busters always had this excitement and keenness to investigate that i related to and see a lot in myself and friends haha

[@DracoMalfoyable]

Not only do I really like what you’re saying, I like the way you’re saying it. I majored in psych in school and we always talked about person-centric language and how you shouldn’t say “a - person” you should say “a person with this disorder” because the person is more important than the condition or the issue that they have. And I really get that vibe from you, that it’s more about who the person is at their core, rather than what “character details” may be attached to them

[@sarahp6512]

From what I've heard from disability rights activists, they don't like person first language. Obviously each person has their own preference, but a lot of disabled and neurodivergent people feel that being disabled and/or neurodivergent is a huge part of who they are as a person and person-first language minimizes that (there may be other reasons too that I can't remember). I understand that the medical community doesn't do this, but I think it's really important to listen to the neurodivergent/disabled people about the best way to talk to/about them, because it affects them directly.

[@DracoMalfoyable]

@@sarahp6512 I think that really does depend on the person, because it creates a situation where the first thing people hear about you is that you have a disability, which becomes the only thing they hear and the only thing they know about the person. It morphs into the person's ONLY characteristic, rather than just one of many. It's also critical for the medical specifically because *historically* the medical community isn't the greatest at caring about underrepresented or marginalized groups and people can also become "just statistics." Using person first language forces the medical community to remember that people are people, not conditions.

[@bushratbeachbum]

Beautifully answered on both questions Adam, thank you for being so open and kind with your thoughts and feelings. Nice one fella. It's always a pleasure to listen to you talk and watch your work.

[@elizabethdauch2456]

Thank you for accepting people as they are and understanding that everyone has to deal with the hand life deals them, how well you play your hand is sooo much more important than exactly what cards you are dealt.

[@NoahWenzel]

Thank you thank you thank you for saying this about ADHD! I have OCD (the obsessive ritualistic kind not the 'everything has to be clean' kind which is a different social issue) and therapy and other things that I try to work through for different traumas in my life are really difficult because even in the world among therapist it is viewed heavily as an illness. It can have it's detriments but when I want to learn about myself and OCD I don't want to learn how to 'get better' I want to understand them and learn how to live with it in such a way where it can help me and those around me and not hinder me and my loved ones. It's just a part of what I was dealt in life and it's not healthy to try and escape it and make it no longer part of your life, but rather learn how to benefit from it and negate the negative. Thank you again this is an idea that needs to be spread for people to accept themselves so that they can move on and improve themselves.

[@feywild1758]

A few months late, but that was an insightful take! I've always been described as talkative and energetic and daydreamy and as having my head in the clouds. Teachers would always make the comment that I would be off in my own world during class. I'm 24 now, and until I realized it on my own just a few years ago nobody ever thought to consider that I might have ADHD. Those things that teachers described me as are things that I've come to just consider my personality. Are they good, are they bad? Some things make it hard to manage things that need to be taken care of - staying focused at work, getting projects done, remembering to schedule appointments and make phone calls. But I don't think that it means that part of me itself is bad, it just is something that I'm learning to work around and find ways to function as an adult with. There are also times where I get so focused on something that a project I've been not really making progress with gets done in a single night, and some of the art that I'm most proud of have come from those moments.

[@my_videos369]

I believe your team deserves special recognition. They taught each venue about interacting with people on the spectrum because you cared enough to give each fan a good experience. That is a real-life, day-to-day lesson much of society doesn't get taught. Great job Adam and Team. Also, fantastic job answering the questions. :)

[@palhargitai]

I'm really happy to hear you talk about ADHD and dyslexia in the way you do. I'm dyslexic and I've struggled with this during my time at school and university. Given this I refer to Dyslexia as a disability, it's caused me to put in a lot more effort than others at the time. Now I've come out of that with some tools to deal with this. As you say it, it's neither good or bad, it's just how I'm used to living my life. I find others around me trying to frame it as a positive thing for those tools and as you say that kind of focus. Something that a 16 year old me would have strongly disagreed with. It caused a lot of self-confidence issues especially as it was diagnosed very late in my life. I can't call it something negative either, it's shaped me into who I am and while that has been a struggle at times, I couldn't be myself without it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you for putting it on the table for what it is and to invite others to accept it as part of our person, neither good nor bad, but simply part of who we are.

[@cmerson9376]

As a parent and partner to two wonderful people on the spectrum I appreciate your comments and the effort you put into your tours.

[@lauriedepaurie]

My ADD was diagnosed as an adult because of a depressive episode. From the get go, I decided to make it part of who I am and how I interact with the world. I'm creative, effective in emergency situations, very human focussed and sensitive to other's emotions. My hyperfocus is crazy and I have a seriously increased associativity and an above average IQ. Apparently that is all part of my AD(H)D, and it's hilarious to recognize it in many of my healthcare coworkers. I also have the attention span of a 3 yr old, and it makes studying a nightmare. I'm also vulnerable to overthinking chaotically, planning still feels foreign and scary to me, and I need to carefully watch my mood. But at least I now know it's a part of me I can't change, and that some things are a little harder for me. Your observations on this subject are excellent, Adam. A label doesn't change who people are, it's part of who they are.

[@PodpadStudios]

Top video. Loving these Adam, brilliant discussion. Thanks 👍

[@ImNotGonna85]

I really look up to Adam, he has such a wonderful look on the world and the way he explains it just gives me hope that i can have the same excitement about my own future. His zeal and enthusiasm for things just brings such joy and inspires me to be the same about my own passions, experimenting with new things and not being scared of failure (kinda) has helped me get to places i didnt think possible. Thank you Adam for being you and sharing it with us x

[@hfc77]

Fantastic video. I was diagnosed as legally blind since I was very young. As an adult, I got married, adopted children who were our foster kids, earn a living, etc. Certainly, having a severe visual impairment has it’s challenges; however, I live my life with the saying, “Blind is not who I am. I”m me!”

[@leapingpizza7960]

I love listening to your answers to the questions you’re asked. I can relate to your answers

[@TheHylianBatman]

7:11 "The water each of us swims in is the water of all of the aspects of our personality". That's an excellent quote. Thank you for your respect and recognition, Adam.

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

Thanks for talking about this. While I'm not diagnosed it's very interesting to learn about people who have to live with it. I'm a type 1 diabetic and while it's a totally different problem, it's something I have to live with every hour of every day for my entire life. Adam you are a true inspiration.

[@HouseNightingale]

I was diagnosed Autistic 5 years ago, and it’s been a journey learning to navigate life with this new knowledge. Your videos have helped a lot learning to undue some of the old coping mechanisms I was using, that weren’t helping

[@jshepard5840]

I love how he purposely says "I don't smoke CIGARETTES anymore". I say the same thing these days, having given up smoking CIGARETTES 9 years ago.

[@nataliee5236]

🍃🍃🍃🍃🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😌😌😌😌

[@toosas]

Thanks for these Adam, I find your short episodes uplifting in this dreary world right now

[@stevemamooshka3425]

I've thought something along these lines for years, but I never could have put it nearly as well as Adam. I'm really learning to like his semi-rambling method of describing things. It's perfect for many topics.

[@RPRiley]

This is my fave clip of yours ever. You touch on ADHD, depression, and in a roundabout way PTSD (my own personal favourite), and yet you do it while still maintaining your purpose and focus.

[@soleil6343]

I know this video has been up a long time by now, but as someone who is both autistic and has adhd, and looked up to you ever since watching Mythbusters as a kid, this video hit really hard and genuinely means a lot to me. You explained beautifully how I also view them, not as disabilities or afflictions but just things that ARE. I found my attention glued to the screen when I'd had this on mostly to listen to in the background while I was working on some of my woodworking. I genuinely did tear up hearing this, and really think I needed to hear that kind of positivity today. So from the bottom of my heart, Adam, thank you. You are truly a beautiful person. 💚

[@outerheaven2k7]

As someone with ADHD/Depression/Deyslexia/OCD, I love love love your answer.

[@poisonglitterkisses]

As a person who has come to realise at almost 40 that I have ASD and have struggled with depression more in lockdown than I have done since my teens, I am thankful to hear Adam talk with such informed opinion about the traits of neuro divergent folk. Whether it’s your D&D character points or your SIMS character the strengths and weaknesses of a person are that randomised and it’s important to remember that. Lately I’ve been berating myself so much for not coping “like everyone else” with certain things in life... then I realise that there’s plenty of places where I have a stronger trait or skill than many other folk and it’s important to stop and acknowledge that trade off of points. So glad I saw this video today, and also extremely impressed by Adam and his teams dedication to educating themselves and those they kissed with about ASD given the prevalence in the fans and followers of their endeavours.

[@ericsarchive7718]

"MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA!", and being smashed at a Disney party, may cause an elevation in status...😂

[@tomspencer9458]

3:33 ... "The trick is not to quit smoking; its to become a non-smoker." That's most excellent, and is pretty much the view I took with getting sober about 7 1/2 years ago. I love the positive aspect of it, not worrying about what I "can't" do, but focusing who I *am.*

[@ThePandaKingFTW]

On top of all of the other things you are amazing at, you somehow are unexpectedly incredibly good at talking about philosophical topics. You have an amazing way with words and have enlightened me to many quotes and ideas that have changed the way I think about how I go through life for the better.

[@iConcernedCitizen]

I just listened to a podcast episode about a similar concept that Adam addresses regarding ADHD. It’s on Catie & Erik’s Infinite Quest an ADHD Adventure. The episode is called Hygiene and ADHD. At about the 30 minute marker Erik talks about how he views his ADHD and other mental illnesses as “amoral”. They are not malicious, they are not your opponent. They just are. And it’s very refreshing to see Adam talking about disabilities similarly. It’s just traits. It’s not out to be your opponent. It’s just a part of life. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad.

[@mohawksixx]

Thank you for this it helps others like my self who have ADHD I see it depends on the situation but I find it helps me see other sides of things and being more creative with all or my work as a musician and photographer

[@michaelmorey6686]

I appreciate your commentary on ADHD...it doesn’t have to be good or bad...it is! As a mental health provider, one who has ADHD, the goal of discovering or diagnosing ADHD is not to alarm anyone or say there is something wrong with an individual, but to explore and identify areas of ones life that ADHD symptoms may adversely impact. Once identified, the goal is then to assist in coping or managing those symptoms. Some may not need to manage their symptoms because it does not impact their lives in an adverse way. A short story as an example: I was asked to help my in-laws remodel their house so they could sell it. Throughout the 3 months of work it was mainly myself and father in law. After we finished the job he said “Good job, but I’ll never work on a project like this with you ever again.” Some humor involved. His purpose for saying this was because he found my working on five rooms of the house at one time exhausting. Running room to room trying to locate this tool, that tool, nails, boards, etc. At this point I have a few options. Seek help in managing these symptoms to continue that type of work...or...find someone else to torture as we flip a house😁

[@paulsworkshop4179]

I love the honesty! It took a similar approach for me to quit smoking as well. Thanks, Adam.

[@BThings]

I really appreciate the idea of framing various conditions as just being a part of one's life, rather than "good" or "bad." As someone with sensory processing disorder, it's a little tiresome putting up with the baggage of other people's assumptions. Whether it's someone who thinks I don't deserve to take their class because my SPD impacts my coordination and I need to type my notes, or someone who tries to act like being disabled has given me a "unique perspective" to succeed at something, I find it insulting. I really don't appreciate having who I am attributed to a single facet of my being, whether that attribution is positive or negative. Every one of us is a complex, multifaceted individual. Labels and diagnoses should be there to help explain the various extant phenomena of a person's existence, not define who that person is. The latter is shallow and faces being proven wrong over and over again.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Thanks for the wisdom, Adam !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AndrewPenner]

I have lived with chronic depression and generalized anxiety disorder almost all my life. I’ve only recently started to grab the idea that they just allow me to see the world in a way most people don’t see. I have little doubt it’s driven me to tap into creativity and abilities that otherwise I would have dismissed or ignored. It’s not always fun. Sometimes it makes things incredibly challenging. But no matter what - it’s my life. No matter if they’re viewed as positive abilities or negative traits, I still have to rise and grind, just like everyone else.

[@thatcatdraws7658]

As someone with dyslexia, I think he nailed that answer. When I tell people I have dyslexia I'm not asking for pity, I'm stating a fact about myself and my personality. I don't want pity and I don't want a gold medal, I want awareness and that's it.

[@rogue3398]

I wanted to cry listening to this. It's so amazingly wonderful to see someone who actually gets it 😭

[@clanreignfire]

Hi Adam, as an almost 42 year-old who was diagnosed with ADHD and depression almost six years ago and has struggled with the effects of it and the actions/feelings of others towards it, your words literally brought me to tears in a good way. Consider yourself hugged, and thank you.

[@TheN8ism]

I’m 7 years younger than you, and I know this might be a little too real for KZbin but have you found anything that helps cope with those feelings over the years? I have a lot of resentment about the way I was treated back before ADD and ADHD was a thing people believed you could have. Being called lazy or that I was just not trying when in reality trying harder than anyone. Been trying for years but still can’t manage to stop myself from responding very strongly and negatively anytime I feel that my desire to succeed is in question. Ring any bells with you?

[@sam.oates_]

Adam, you are an incredible inspiration. These uncut Q&As are raw and real and authentic. I absolutely salute you for that, such refreshing content. Thank you!

[@wolfore]

Thank you for helping me see my ADHD differently. I love D&D and I had never considered thinking of myself as a character and dealing with my own traits the way I deal with a character on the tabletop.

[@supersam64]

Beautifully said, man. I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism when I was a kid, and the simple truth of the matter is there's days where I feel disabled and days where I feel like I've got super powers. Granted, I definitely felt disabled a lot of the time before I started taking meds for my ADHD, but that doesn't change the fact that these things have their ups and downs. And that's just my experience - these things affect everyone in different ways on different levels; growing up I went to a youth club for neurodivergent kids like myself, and even though many of us were autistic, none of us had had the same experience of the autism spectrum. I'm grateful for your understanding of what it's like.

[@shanewilson7994]

I love when you said that there are no traits which are essentially good or bad, and then paused to think about it a bit, because I do the exact same thing when I say stuff like that. You could see it in your face as the gears started turning and wanted to run down thousands of different traits. I love seeing someone else experiencing something that I experience daily (and I'm not diagnosed with autism but I'd bet I'm somewhere on the spectrum).

[@DrDingsGaster]

I have ADD which falls under the ADHD diagnosis now, but you're absolutely right. The answer is that it just is. As a creative person it does both help and hinder. Sometimes it allows me a lot of focus on whatever I'm doing and other times it screws my motivation and ability to focus over and I can't do it. It makes me happy that you're talking about it though; just another reason why you're such a good person.

[@onetoughchick78]

As someone who is autistic and dyslexic, I love your take on neurodiversity. The joy of dyslexia is that we can think In 3 dimensions. It's something like having a video camera as your mind's eye. I can see and think of things in all dimensions, from all directions. Which is why dyslexic people can have issues with seeing letters changing positions and upsidedown or backwards. Autism allows me to think in pictures and a kind of short videos when I'm thinking of something or remembering things. I don't think in words or have a verbal inner memory. I think in pictures and movies. I crochet and I can see the finished project in my mind's eye before I even cast a single stitch of it. Are there downsides to both conditions. The chronic and enduring executive function disorder that causes me to be late, forget important things and continually lose objects. Sensory Processing Disorder is a giant nuisance at the best of times. It's a wandering hell at the worst. Like when you're in Walmart or the grocery store and it's too bright because of the florescent lighting because your vision is hypersensitive and it's too loud and you can hear all the echoes because your hearing is also turned up to 11. I'm that person who wears sunglasses and noise dampening headphones in the grocery store. I'm the person who twiddles my fingers randomly in the air and rocks from side to side when I'm trying to choose a cereal in the breakfast aisle.

[@Orenslockdown]

Amazing insight! I'm having an assessment for ADHD next week, First Order of Retrievability has been helping me for YEARS

[@NicodemusT]

I love love love that you covered this really important perspective.

[@xehardy4573]

Dear Mr. Savage, this video touched me very deeply, as someone who has ADHD, it’s hard for people to understand what it’s like to live with it, and it’s nice to hear that there’s someone in the public eye, who is not going oh my god this is an affliction, I’m thankful that you’re just saying what it is, it’s a fact of life, thank you Thank you.

[@xehardy4573]

Also, and I hope you read this, know that their There’s someone else out there who understands it’s like to live with this, brought tears to my eyes

[@lewisreid7395]

Being a younger guy with dyslexia, I’ve been very fortunate to grow up having a lot of support and ive never thought of dyslexia as a disability. It’s just something that makes me me. I hope that the future generations get the support that I got and they grow up knowing that their life isn’t limited. Being a creative person and having a creative job. I’ve personally never thought about my dyslexia has made a positive or negative impact of my working life but maybe since it’s now been pointed out to me I’ll be able to notice a difference

[@breaux2806]

"Is it good or is it bad?" "It just is." Seeing Adam Savage, someone who I've always admired and suspected had ADHD, talk about this so carefully and intelligently only makes me like him more. Being diagnosed as an adult changed my life for the better, I still don't have access to medication but learning coping strategies that help my day to day life has been so incredibly helpful

[@placidmind1017]

Omg, Adam! This is so helpful on a personal level as I'm dealing with bpd. Thank you!!❤

[@philipzielke8811]

This is amazing. Thank you.

[@Quantum369Mechanic]

Well said Adam! Thank you!

[@jaimz.crawford]

As a parent of a daughter with Autism thank you for your comments on adhd/asd/dyslexia. I’m Māori from New Zealand and our word for Autism is Takiwātanga which means ‘in his/her own time and space’.

[@garywhitfield317]

Diagnosed as a high functioning autistic just over a year ago, and also show ADHD behaviour. Was forced to quit my job December 2019 because work could not cope with my situation and it was having a massive negative impact on my mental health. Been a model maker from age 8, now 52. I can focus on a model like a laser whilst things are going well, but if I get distracted, if I have a problem with the model I'm working on, then I find it almost impossible to work through that and continue. Therefore I have very few finished projects, and far too many started ones. But the work I do on each is always my best. I don't consider either as a handicap nor as a benefit, they are just part of who I am. If anything, I consider those I have met who don't have the conditions I do to be less fortunate than I am. They will never be able to see the world as I do, and I am so glad that I am not what most of them consider 'normal '.