Musicians and ADHD: A Roundtable Discussion

“Remember that ADHD is a superpower!” Today I am joined by Dr. Kensley Behel, Dr. Joy Hoffman, and Ms. Sarah Dotterweich in a round-table discussion about being a musician with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Drawing on their research and own personal experiences, the panelists offer a candid and honest picture of how ADHD affects them personally and professionally. We discuss:
ADHD and Performance Anxiety
Masking
Being a Musician with ADHD
Diagnosis for women with ADHD
Difficulties, Strategies and Encouragement
Research and resources
This is a great episode for musicians with ADHD, as well as teachers, colleagues, or family members. Thank you for watching!
Host: Christine Smith
Guest Panelists:
Dr. Kensley Behel
www.kensleybehel.com/post/mus...
Dr. Joy Hoffman
Professional Classical Musicians with ADHD: A Qualitative Study
www.idrs.org/video/collection...
esploro.libs.uga.edu/esploro/...
Ms. Sarah Dotterweich
Do You See What I See?: A Study of American Women Living with ADHD and Their Musical Experiences: diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandor...
For more information and resources and research mentioned in this episode, see our website at: frostedlens.com/musicians-vs-the-…usicians-and-adhd

[@mjgw]

Got my second diagnosis 14 months ago. I find so hard with music, is that while I practice, I am thinking about so many other things, and it is so hard to just be with the music.

[@TDAHexploration]

46 years old. Diagnosis is running ( it will take 2 years....). I know from early childhood that I am very "étourdi" (absent-minded), losing things, and forgetting to do this and that. But, starting to consider that I could be a "real ADD person", I have been surprised that many problems I encounter are also related to ADD. So, I am just in a moment where I must think again about how I take decisions. How I build my days. I struggle so much in the professional part of my life. I can never achieve what I wish to do. So, I feel no good and hopeless. I've been a circus artist. And I'd like to become a musician. But actually, I lost hope. I just hope that one day work will not be painful anymore, and that I'll have enough money to travel.

[@musiciansvstheworldpodcast1172]

That sounds very hard. I had no idea how difficult it is to get a diagnosis as an adult. I truly hope you are able to get the diagnosis and help that you need so you can find happiness and fulfillment.

[@Skoopyghost]

You have some ADHD trades to be a good musician even if you aren't diagnosed. I think it even holds true classically trained musicians like Ludvig Van, and Bach.

[@TDAHexploration]

Because I love music so much... I can't listen to music if I work, drive, etc... because my brain is going automatically with music, and the main action becomes unbalanced.

[@musiciansvstheworldpodcast1172]

I am the same. I can't concentrate on much else if there's music going on. But I have family members that actually concentrate better when there is music going on in the background. One of the guests on this program itself actually practices with the television on, and it helps her focus. The brain is an amazing thing!

[@terry2you]

Oh man, do I identify with that! As a 70+ year old musician if I find myself with a group of people talking in a restaurant, if background music comes on I can't help but tune out the conversation and get lost in the music! I'm sure it seems rude but unless I force myself back into the conversation I stay lost in the music!