Trevor Noah on Depression, ADHD & Ketamine Therapy

Trevor Noah tells Neal Brennan about his depression, ADHD, and ketamine therapy. From the Blocks Podcast w/ Neal Brennan.
Full Episode: • Trevor Noah | Blocks P...
Watch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix:
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Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).
#podcast #standup #comedy #mentalhealth

[@AnneWilkynson]

I'm a Woman diagnosed with ADHD at 61 .. (the daydreamer) explains my entire life!! Sister always called me a flake. Didn't finish school. Lost jobs, for always being late or not completing tasks. Lost friends for always being late making them think I didn't care. Self loathing because although I'm extremely intelligent, I just failed at life, procrastinating etc. After saying all of this, if I'm working on my hobbies, I can go 12 hours without thinking of food or what I was probably supposed to be doing. So bitter sweet, now I know and can begin to heal and now I know, what my life could have been.

[@forlisac1]

Women and girls are much less likely to be diagnosed for ADHD because they often present differently. It’s such a shame but it is getting better. And people with few resources are also less likely to be properly diagnosed. And there are treatments for ADHD that help a lot! Wishing you the support you deserve.

[@lindaward3156]

are you my younger sister -the one I never got and still miffed a bit about it at 68 (3 bros no sis)? i didn't realize mine until my 60's but it finally clicked the tiles into place. I think my biggest problem figuring it out was because of my perceived intelligence,

[@Dee-x9f]

Also important to note that the two hallmarks of ADHD-executive dysfunction and emotional disregulation-can be a result of early trauma, CPTSD.

[@jannettehogan9958]

I feel you. I'm 67 and finally diagnosed in 2009 already aware this was my problem however I still can't get proper help. The so call professionals only know the base line of ADHD information which I now know so much more but they just don't care. I'm female so ADHD present differently than Male and they only focused on male. Now I'm totally disregarded and not worth the help or it's too expensive to get to correct help. Doomed

[@wordzmyth]

52 and waiting for my official diagnosis. In my country the public health psychiatrist can't diagnose you, you have to pay private. Because there is an avalanche of (mostly) women like us. But the grief of all the opportunities. Also I flew to mybold coty, went sightseeing and missed my friends wedding because I misremembered the time.

[@jennifermorton1456]

Trevor described that Adhd checking out moment so perfectly

[@cocomaire]

I even do it when I’m reading or watching a movie. I’ll get distracted by one point and go on a mental tangent

[@julianaherrera308]

He really did. I was like wow now I know how to perfectly describe it to other people

[@lynnebucher6537]

I've done this exact same thing over a crusty showerhead in my house! This could explain why I have such trouble staying on task with house projects.

[@VicBerger]

It could also come from childhood trauma. From what I understand, it's more likely there's something triggering you from your upbringing that might cause you to mildly dissociate. Inner child work helped me greatly on this type of thing.

[@MsCeegee3]

@@cocomaire I remember being so excited when I first got to watch a movie I could pause and finish whatever tangent my brain went on so I didn’t miss what was going on in the movie. (I don’t know if I have ADHD but I am a little something!)

[@rooyoo0623]

Thank you, Trevor Noah, for sharing this and Neal Brennan for posting it. I'm a therapist who specializes in working with adults with ADHD; later-in-life diagnoses of ADHD; women with ADHD; and the 2e population. This estimate is on the conservative side, but in school alone, a child with ADHD receives 20,000 corrections or negative comments by the time he or she is 10 years old. It is no wonder that depression and anxiety are common co-morbidities of ADHD. I focus on the emotional components of living with an invisible brain-based difference. Whether this is said by adults outright to a child with ADHD or their actions and efforts to treat a child's ADHD nonverbally relay the same message, children with ADHD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) tend to hold the negative core belief that they are somehow inherently broken and need to be fixed. Many of the adults who come to see me expect that I'll be like a certified watchmaker there to fix them like a broken clock. Shame is often at the heart of what adults with ADHD have been carrying with them for most of their lives. There is so much misinformation out there - even the nomenclature of the diagnosis is a misnomer. You're absolutely right- we don't have a deficit of attention - we have too much attention and an inability to filter out stimuli that are unimportant to the task at hand that we're trying desperately to focus on. Dr. Dodson described it well when he said that neurotypicals have a priority-based, or importance-based, nervous system and those with ADHD have an interest-based nervous system, except that we don't get to choose what we pay attention to. When it's a subject that highly interests us or there is some kind of variable that involves fear, our amygdala gets activated and we suddenly gain the ability to not only focus but hyperfocus. This is why so many of us with ADHD follow career paths in the performing arts or the ICU/ER - when the stakes get high, we get clear-headed, calm, and focused, and we can perform with ease. Those of us with ADHD (especially the inattentive type) often experience brain fog and activation issues partly due to insufficient dopamine levels, so stimulants help lift the fog so we can gain full access to our thoughts and it helps us get activated to start on tasks that do not inherently generate high levels of interest. Covid long-haulers with brain fog are getting medically treated with the medication we take for the brain fog we've been experiencing and dealing with our entire lives. When neurotypicals take a stimulant like Adderall, they have a vastly different experience from how it affects those of us with ADHD because they don't actually need the medication. It helps us feel like we can do the things that neurotypicals take for granted that they can do that require executive functioning skills - it doesn't put us into hyperfocus mode. There are still so many myths being perpetuated about ADHD that appear in places one might least expect, like in classrooms and doctor's offices; and the general misunderstanding often leads to the mistreatment of children, teens, and adults with ADHD. They are often on the receiving end of neurobigotry, (a term more recently coined by ADHD expert Sari Solden), that further fuels the shame they're carrying and their desire to hide and not get help.

[@alady09]

In which state do you practice?

[@DawnDavidson]

Late-diagnosed ADHD, here, finally going back to school to become a therapist. You are spot on with all of this.

[@harrisone79]

Gay

[@chuzzbot]

Hot tip. Use alt enter to create paragraphs...

[@BradleyPsychology]

Thank you for posting this.

[@dorolicious]

I didn't know I could love Trevor more than I already did. But as he talks about PTSD, ADHD and Depression I'm just nodding and feel more connected to him than ever. ❤

[@Flourish_today]

Have you read his book " Born a Crime"? It will help you understand where his tumor comes from, even dome of that PTSD.

[@CibitiPro]

Trevor Noah’s discussions on PTSD, ADHD, and depression resonate deeply with many, creating a sense of connection and understanding. His openness about these issues fosters a supportive community where individuals feel seen and validated. Your growing admiration for him reflects the power of his candidness and the importance of public figures sharing their mental health journeys. It helps break down barriers and encourages others to seek help and share their own stories.

[@CathyLoveFerguson-gl9ts]

I didn't know I had it until I was 73... not only that, I had it, but practically everyone in my family did, too... to say that escaping at a young age is probably the only way I survived. The whole family dynamic was so messed up that it's so hard to think about...PTSD from it is real

[@nunyabiz1780]

ADHD is totally made up

[@rachelrobinson3746]

I love Trevor Noah. He is so incredibly intelligent, compassionate, and funny, and such a good soul. As a fellow person who also has severe ADHD, I so appreciate famous people coming out and explaining to people what ADHD does to people. People who don't have ADHD have a really hard time understanding and believing how difficult it is to have it.

[@GaiaCarney]

Trevor’s comment about focusing on the ‘wrong’ thing is true! I CAN NOT multitask, and if there is music playing it’s the _ONLY_ thing I can hear.

[@empireoflightz]

lol christ, exact same here. I can't for the life of me understand sometimes how people can hear each other talk and have real conversations in loud bars and clubs, can't they fucking hear the 100 different noises of music and other people talking all around us? And then I end up looking like the unsociable twat because after a while I just give up trying to understand what they're saying 🤦

[@dayegilharno4988]

:) I can't even eat and listen to somebody at the same time... Dating's a b*** with that preset!

[@lynnebucher6537]

​@@empireoflightzI find it impossible to filter out distracting sounds and hear, much less follow a conversation.

[@renenowicki]

I used to think i could multitask. Turns out, i can’t juggle.

[@fionaanderson5796]

@@empireoflightz oh my goodness, yes! I hate social gatherings, especially in pubs and other loud places. I cannot hear to have a conversation, and end up sitting there feeling excluded. I've always thought I had a hearing problem but when I've had it checked I've been told my hearing is fine and it must be a processing problem.

[@Alethea_Ashton]

"The diagnosis is more important than most medications...just knowing is 80% as effective as treating" had me in tears because it's so true 😭

[@pedroewert143]

Felt the same, for me it was "Ah ADHD is the reason that promising myself to do something 'tomorrow' will never work. Then i shouldnt trust my future self and better get right on it or find a better approach"

[@bit0perator]

This, a thousands times over. Sometimes I call it "working off the right instruction manual for your brain". When you know why your brain does something, it's less traumatic when it happens and helps you plan for it happening and knowing what to do with it in the moment as well. It is a life changer when you get the right diagnosis (instruction manual) and can start understanding your motivations, etc.

[@suzannemariew]

1000%

[@jeffsframe9927]

Nonsense. Knowing it is nice. But without the meds it’s just bs

[@darcieclements4880]

Unless you have the time thing where you can't tell time passage like at all. Then medication makes a much larger impact😅 during the medication shortages it was a complete nightmare. Absolutely constant source of embarrassment and if it weren't for my friends and coworkers I do not know what I would have done. And like 5 million alarms which of course I tune out after a while. Super exhausted.

[@Waylon_Willie27]

We have a society in America that prioritizes productivity and the maintenance of the status quo above all else. That’s where a lot of the self shaming comes in. When you’re rich you can afford to really step away and analyze your situation but if you’re poor everything becomes several extra steps just to meet your basic needs. These things go beyond what an individual can do to help themselves. There always needs to be accountability for behavior but have to look at it through a broader context of the way our system creates these conditions.

[@AnneWilkynson]

Well said!!

[@InfiniteSoulRoots]

Well said!

[@julianabercot224]

🎯

[@lookingupwithwonder]

Spot on in Jake!!! It's the Social Model of Disability.

[@bd-pl7oo]

💯

[@mageno4641]

9:09 he does an excellent job describing what’s going on in an ADHDr’s mind when they’re “tuning out” / not paying attention to what you’re saying. Beautifully well explained.

[@peggyliu8381]

Love that celebrities like Trevor are talking about neurodivergence. I was late-diagnosed with autism and adhd as an adult, and the diagnosis has brought so much clarity to my life.

[@focusedeye]

When I was diagnosed as a "Textbook example of high functioning ADHD" by one of Western Canada's top specialist in the field at age 57, my life finally started to make sense. Procrastination is my worst enemy.

[@uppinder]

Were you misdiagnosed before that?

[@Rogerseegren271]

Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here

[@CarmenOrtiz440]

I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.

[@ThomasReinhardt773]

The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well

[@JamesFJohnson]

I was having this constant, unbearable anxiety due to work stress. Not until I came across a very intelligent mycologist. He saved my life honestly

[@LucyFernandez628]

​@@ThomasReinhardt773 I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.

[@AlbertoTorres894]

​@@JamesFJohnsonDoes he deliver to various locations?

[@G3n3vaL3st3r]

I was an addict half my life. I tried every antidepressant/ anti anxiety med there was. I finally got diagnosed with ADHD & autism at 35 and since being on adderal I feel in control of my life for the first time ever. I’m not constantly craving something or waiting for the next exciting thing to happen. I hadn’t realized most peoples brains don’t go so fast you have a dozen thoughts at a time. I can actually sit and enjoy playing with my kids or watching the birds for the first time. I quit smoking a decade ago but still craved a smoke every freaking day until I got on adhd meds. It is so great not to have to dopamine seek all the time anymore. I don’t feel like an alien anymore. I understand myself now.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Anti-depressants never worked for me. I feel like they were prescribed for the neurotypicals around me to feel more comfortable . They just numbed me. I hated it.

[@empresssk]

Happy for you ✨

[@musikluver]

My husband was home schooled for most of elementary school. He has never been diagnosed for ADHD but because of the space homeschooling gives kids to learn however he found out how he worked best, learned best, functioned best and never really needed treatments. He's able to explain to people, he knows how to buckle down and get er done when life requires that. It's so cool to see

[@NiaLaLa_V]

That's pretty much what it is to have executive function disordered. When there are consquences staring us right in the face (when life requires it, as you said) we can get it done. When there are not life threatening consequences we sit here watching videos about other shit instead of doing any of the things I am supposed to be doing right now.

[@angeliquecollins5425]

The inner monologue edit is fucking perfect.

[@kellyj.azania4371]

I'm so grateful this popped up on my algorithm.

[@Malisti04]

Me too

[@psicriatividade]

Me too❤

[@holmesrg]

It’s honestly so good to hear people coming to terms with their adhd and their friends doing the same. I wish my friends old click their fingers to bring me back

[@monicaena7857]

It's so rare to find people who speak genuinly, as you do, about some deseases...respect for you man. Trevor great human being❤

[@ADHDResourceSpecialist]

Thank you Trevor!! It's so so so great to see celebrities really understand ADHD as an executive function developmental disorders. It's a disorder of self regulation, and often comorbid with other disorders (depression, etc)

[@melissapetty1294]

I’ve treated adhd for 30 years and that is one of the best explanations I’ve heard. Thank you, Noah.

[@jhenelle711]

Omg Trevor and Neal!!! Thank you for talking about this. I'm currently in trauma therapy and the book The Body Keeps the Score was a HUGE GAME/LIFE changer for me... If you ever decide to do another sit down session like this... invite me. I have done EMDR therapy as well and ashwaghanda etc. Leveraging different therapeutic modalities one for my mind and another for my body was incredibly healing and really put me in a much better place mentally/emotionally. I'm so excited for conversations like this. Great job ya'll.

[@jakekessler2344]

I'm so glad Trevor's famous and gets to share his well articulated perspectives

[@NellieKAdaba]

Me too.

[@rubberdog8763]

Re: autism I can relate, plus I have hemi-sync, & dyslexia. I'm 75; I was put in a "retarded class". As an adult, I tried counseling -- claimed I was depressed. No I'm not, not lonely, not sad. I was on the Dean's list in college. Trevor explained what goes on in the brain very well -- thank you Trevor. Maybe you could be a spokesman, even for elders, like me.

[@juanderuano8969]

Interesting video content. My relationship of 5 years ended a month ago. The love of my life decided to leave me, I really love her so much I can’t stop thinking about her, I’ve tried my very best to get her back in my life, but to no avail, I’m frustrated, I don’t see my life with anyone else. I’ve done my best to get rid of the thoughts of her, but I can’t, I don’t know why I’m saying this here, I really miss her and just can’t stop thinking about her.

[@elladonaldson-lh6nc]

its difficult to let go of someone you love, i was in a similar situation, my relationship of 12 years ended, but i couldnt just let him go i did all i could to get him back, i had to seek the help of a spiritual counselor who helped me bring him back

[@juanderuano8969]

Amazing, how did you get a spiritual counselor, and how do i reach her?

[@elladonaldson-lh6nc]

Her name is Shelly renee white , and she is a great spiritual counselor who can bring back your ex.

[@juanderuano8969]

Thank you for this valuable information, i just looked her up now online. impressive

[@denisesalles7248]

@@elladonaldson-lh6nc Don't give people false hope - it's cruel.

[@alpheusmadsen8485]

For years, I have been susceptible to burnout and depression ... yet I had always feared going to the doctor or psychiatrist about it, because I expected the response would be "here's a happy pill that will fix you" when what I was *certain* I needed was some sort of lifestyle change. At the time, I thought I needed to find the "right" career for myself ... but I have since discovered that I'm autistic and have ADHD, and that there's a good chance that *if* I switched careers, I'd *still* burn out regularly. But I cannot help but feel "vindicated" somewhat by this discovery -- I have the impression that if I had sought help, I would have gone down an unhelpful path of diagnosis after diagnosis until someone would *finally* ask "Have you considered autism or ADHD?", like so many people before me -- but now I have a good sense of "structure" for what help I need -- but, alas, I don't have a timeline for when I can get evaluated, so I can pinpoint better what I need (other than that I'm now on a waitlist for an evaluation).

[@steffnic13]

Interviewer should let Trevor speak uninterrupted. Anyone who aligns with this should watch Brene Brown’s Netflix special on shame and vulnerability. (As well as her Ted Talks, of course.) Love that Trevor is so in touch with his brain and emotions and overall patterns, and then shares.

[@forestpark73]

Thank you for that recommendation!

[@phatmonkey11]

I didn't notice the interruptions so much.

[@ojozarco]

“The interviewer” ?? that’s Neil fucking Brennan!

[@wordzmyth]

Yes I noticed the interjections. Trevor has practiced holding on to his point calmly.

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

He lets him speak, just does a few quick comments and questions. You want a monologue, watch his standup.

[@paulinetaylor451]

Thanks for this discussion. I read here with compassion of everyone's struggles with ADHD. As the older sibling of a brother 9 years younger than me diagnosed with it fairly recently along with his being bipolar and with CPTSD, I have also experienced the pain of being attacked verbally by my brother at family events and my sister's funeral recently. It has been painful over the years as a child growing up with him and as an adult on the end of sudden outbursts though I usually avoid contact to protect myself and I only went to the funeral as he had contacted me with a more moderate conversation. May we all benefit from a greater understanding of all of these struggles. It has been truly awful.

[@chitownforever]

Trevor has such a good, concise way of explaining ADHD. I highly recommend the channel "How to ADHD". I've reorganized my living space, and it's helped so much.

[@zergbong]

Diagnosed with ADHD at 40. Developed sense of humour and was always the class clown as a way to fit in and not appear super weird to everyone. Things doesn't make sense for ADHD folks in today's world.

[@rudolfschenker]

Trever Noah has always been a brilliant comedian. I have tenfold respect for him for sharing this part of himself and helping advocate. The part about many comedians probably being on the spectrum was not only funny, but makes a lot of sense.

[@DrPatriceBerry]

Trevor is describing how our brains are wired and how the amygdala will automatically respond. I love the way he describes things 🙌🏾 I have so people people in the 40s plus coming to get assessed for possible ADHD.

[@inairby4freedom]

I had no idea Trevor had ADHD!!!! I have never been diagnosed but am so grateful he shared this.

[@jennifers7555]

Omg your tangent about the shower head is my freaking LIFE! Dealing with this is exhausting!

[@EverydayASMR-r1e]

I think there are so many adults that are currently discovering their ADHD... I'm one of them and I always think "gosh, if only I knew this when I was younger"...

[@sassylass9305]

Hi Neal and Trevor, great discussion. Really made me think about what Trevor was saying. I'm glad that knowing the diagnoses of ADHD made Trevor feel better. I don't think it does for most people. Insight is good, but it's not necessarily a catalyst for change. I've been to many therapists over the years, and have found talk therapy mostly useless. Maybe because I've always been very insightful and intuitive myself. I can totally relate to Trevor going off in his mind during conversations. I've done this all my life. I just tell people that sometimes I space out and ask them to repeat what they were saying. I'm not convinced that this is a symptom of ADHD. It maybe a combination of things. At around 50, I realized that I'm a Highly Sensitive Person, and learned that HSPs are DEEP PROCESSORS. So, spacing out, like in Trevor's example about the shower patina, I think that's exactly what he's doing. I don't know if Trevor is an HSP, but he's definitely a deep processor, a deep thinker. He wouldn't be able to get to the root of most issues in the world, as well as he does. He's able to break through the noise, and present any event, personality, or issue in it's plain stripped down components in a way that everyone can understand. And from a simplified perspective that people never realized was there. It takes a highly analytical and perceptive mind to do that. To be able to do that, you have to take the time to process things on a deep level. It's not a bad thing. It's not a personality defect. It's a feature! When I space out like that, I apologize, but then sometimes I share what I was thinking about. So go ahead and share your musings about copper and green patina on the shower head. :o) After all that's why the Statue of Liberty is green. See now, I'm going to think about that, and wonder what she looked like in the beginning. Then I'll probably go and look up images online. Enjoy your streams of consciousness. I was never diagnosed with ADHD, since hyperactivity was never my issue, but I can relate to many ADD symptoms such as being easily distracted if bored or hyper-focused on a task I find interesting or totally absorbing. Many people don't realize that hyper-focus is also a symptom of ADHD. Maybe that's why playing video games is so gratifying. When an activity demands your complete attention, you do enter a state of flow. I don't play video games because after my first game of PacMan at age 10, when 4 hours felt like 4 minutes, I realized that I would become an addict. But as a creative person, I have experienced this flow state while drawing or painting, dancing or singing. I absolutely love internet research - talk about being completely focused and distracted at the same time. No depression, no anxiety, just total absorption. People are amazed at my patience and tenacity to research things online. That's that ADD hyperfocus coming into play. In the right job, it can be very useful. Unfortunately, after struggling for 20 years in the corporate world, in a semi-creative industry, I never did find the right replacement career. Shame definitely plays into this too. Depression, Anxiety, PTSD or cPTSD, are not mutually exclusive to shame, betrayal, or abuse. There's usually more than one cause to any problem. I developed psychogenic myoclonus after trying to wean myself off antidepressants. Psychiatrists and Big Pharma deny that long term use of these drugs can cause debilitating withdrawal that is akin to torture that completely dysregulates your entire nervous system. I went to five neurologists, and they said that nothing can be done cause it's a psychosomatic issue. All they suggested was CBT.

[@piquantement]

I don't think "having insight" or not is a binary. We're complex creatures, and there are sometimes key points I see "insightful" people missing about themselves, which is what stops them from being able to really progress. Sometimes when you have too much faith in your self-insight, it stops you from being able to consider alternative perspectives and change your mind about yourself. (And we're all at least a little wrong about ourselves.)

[@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional]

@@piquantement True indeed, we all have biases and prejudices that have become inherent in our lives and experiences. It sounds like you're explaining a "Can't see the wood for the trees" symptom ;) Sometimes one is too close to a topic (which particularly happens with one's own personality/self) to be able to pull back to take an objective look at it. The insightful should always be questioning themselves, and willing to take on other perspectives, be flexible in the mind, and have the ability to admit to being wrong multiple times, and learn from mistakes. Just like scientists, there is no 100% certainty for anything because we are always viewing it through our own flawed, biased lens of our own personal experiences.

[@lorol5224]

hyper activity is not necessary for a ADD diagnosis.

[@dianeatpeace337]

Somatic practices can help. If you cringe at the idea of yoga or breathwork, try fake laughter or forced humming ( with your mouth closed) several times daily for a week or so. Forcing somatic changes into your body will likely make a difference.

[@sassylass9305]

What I'm saying is that I don't believe that knowing the diagnosis is 80% of the cure, for most people with mental health issues. Perhaps for Trevor, finding out that HIS depression is a symptom of ADHD (which carries less stigma); But for a lot of us depression is a symptom of multiple causes that are not so simple to treat or unravel.

[@jenniferbenorden]

i could not love trevor anymore than i love him right now. having only recently been diagnosed with ADHD, as well as early childhood trauma (CPTSD), i just feel so seen, and by someone who I respect and admire so much. thank you thank you thankypu

[@user-ez9eq9em2y]

This is me expressing gratitude to you, Neal. For the candor of Three Mics and what it meant to me, for offering up your evolution for me to learn from, for sharing so many insights from so many stars, for being an ambassador of sorts for black men and our experience, and of course, for the laughs. “Crazy Good”, as a title, sold it short.

[@karimajor1165]

Just knowing is also a game changer. Yes, telling people is so important.

[@shavanerad9038]

"Isn't that copper...?" I have literally had that moment about plumbing in the presence of family and they thought I was bored.

[@susiemilligan7220]

I just love Trevor. I think he's one of the sharpest tools in the shed. I will listen to whatever he has to say, because I can learn a lot from his perspective. I do have a couple of comments: 1. He says he has ADHD but that it doesn't mean running around out of control. But it kind of does; it's in the name. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I think the medical community needs to be more precise with naming such things. ADD, attention deficit disorder, also doesn't describe quite what he's talking about. The deficit in attention would be more from an observer's perspective, like perhaps a teacher. Maybe keep ADD, but call it attention direction disorder. 2. As someone with depression, and HORRIBLE depression without medication, I don't equate depression with sadness. My depression often prevents me from being happy, but sadness is not its essential nature. I fear that people's severe depression is not taken as seriously as it should be when it is characterized as sadness. Everyone has sadness, but not everyone has depression. Anyway, absolutely no criticism of Mr. Noah, just some random thoughts. Now about that bird at the window...

[@DjangoVonShaft]

This man is a national treasure and the world won't realize it until later. It's been a joy Mr. Noah to watch you grow... Never thought you were funny, but an emerging intellectual nonetheless.

[@j.erlandsson]

That drifting off segment towards the end is so much me. I have to rewind meeting discussions because I get a question then I zoom out for a couple of minutes and naturally miss the entire next thing being discussed. Since I learned how to just say "Sorry, can we take this bit one more time cause I lost track due to the thing" everything in my professional life has become way easier. Before I had to try and stitch things together and missed a lot of context which just made me look silly. Trevor breaking this down was so spot on.

[@mariavictor4324]

Communicated so beautifully. A true gift. Shine on.

[@jonathanbakalarz7786]

I cannot begin to explain how accurate that description of ADHD is. On. Point. Thank you for sharing this.

[@micheleorellana2539]

I hear a lot of adhd, but no one seems to also address the Add which is attention deficit disorder. Which I have and both my kids have it. It’s almost like adhd but not really. It’s exactly what it saids. We have a hard time paying attention, we loose focus real quick and get distracted very easily. I can write down a grocery list and if I forget the list at home I can still shop for everything that was on the list. If I don’t write down my to do list the night before, for example, if I left dirty dishes in the sink and decide to wash them the next morning, if I didn’t put it on my to do list the night before, the next morning I will see the dishes but it takes an hour or two for my brain to tell me that their are dirty dishes in the sink. I hope that makes sense

[@jackiem9460]

The book 'Your Brain is Not Broken' was a therapy session in itself for me. I've lived with chronic depression since I was twelve. I've been to therapy and taken practically every SSRI. Nothing helped. However, finally understanding it's not my fault my brain acts how it does...priceless.

[@joeofoysterbay7197]

For me, depression is an opportunist looking for a vacuum to fill. Knowing that, I can control it now.

[@sluglife9785]

"It's in my body." That is something I realised about my 'mental illness' really late in the day. I had always interpreted it through my thoughts and my hyper-analysis of my personal history. Which is obviously totally relevant. But then I had a period where my life got a bit better, my thoughts seemed to mellow, and I had a bit more fluctuation in my 'mood'. At which point I re-oriented my attention towards how I felt in my body, and realised the extent to which I was always physically exhausted and in a kind of elementary chronic pain. When I fully realised that the people around me who are functional and cheerful don't merely have a different 'attitude', they feel different in their body, I was able to ease up on myself more and accept that I have a legit physical disability, rather than merely an 'attitude problem' - which I'm sure I have too.

[@kristinn3367]

He’s so right. I spent 14 years being diagnosed with depression and put on medications that only made things worse, but no one ever took the time to discuss why I was depressed. Wasn’t correctly diagnosed until my 30’s.

[@NellieKAdaba]

I hate meds, they're drugs and poison. It's when I was in my 20s that they diagnosed me, and I'm currently in my 40s.

[@terany.geiger]

Thank you for this clip 👏👏👏 you're a wonderful host, and Trevor Noah is a hot ADHD advocate!!!! 🔥 😂❤

[@kathleenvaughan3709]

Perfect description of my adhd with the shower head green stuff. Thank you for sharing this I am not alone.

[@boco1951]

So much of what we attribute to the brain is feeling that starts in the body. Anxiety starts in the stomach and causes the body nervous system to react. This is then adopted by the brain. So we treat it as if it starts in the brain. What you eat or drink pushes how you feel. You don’t get drunk cause you were thinking about drinking you get drunk because you consumed alcohol. This is just me thinking about it.

[@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional]

This is true to a point, but I don't believe ADHD begins in the body, or is due to a certain diet. Unless you know something different?

[@MMartin-pt9yv]

@@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional There is currently no evidence to suggest it does not originate in the body. There can be various sources of stress however - external... Genetic Adrenal Stress etc etc

[@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional]

@@MMartin-pt9yv Sure, so you agree that ADHD doesn't begin in the body, based on evidence. I understand external sources of stress - and have experienced most ;) - but the OP in this thread seems to be claiming it starts or originates in the body, which, based on the information we currently have, is false.

[@MMartin-pt9yv]

@@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional You seem to have misunderstood my post. The Genetics of, for example, Adrenal Enzyme availability is quite a complicated area.

[@Peachy-KeenJewelsOptional]

​@@MMartin-pt9yv Okay... so that's quite a complicated area... but that doesn't explain what you wrote. Why don't you help me understand your post if I have "misunderstood" it, or at least point out what I misunderstood. I'm sure you understood that I was simply looking to explain whether ADHD "starts in the body" rather than the brain, as per the OP's speculation. That's the point being made by the OP and discussed, right? I don't doubt the "The Genetics of the Adrenal Enzyme availability" is complicated, but why don't you explain based on the point I required about rather than tell me I misunderstood and not elaborate on how or why? I simply asked if ADHD starts in the body and you said there was no evidence that it did, and I replied repeating that for clarification. What part of that did I misunderstand?

[@gpmcd1044]

Omg! Hearing Trevor talk about being in class and listening to the teacher when a bird distracts you tapping on the window took me back to a memory. I’m 53 now, but when I was in jr. high, I was in class listening to the teacher, when a kid sitting 2 or 3 rows behind me starting tapping on his desk with a pencil. Not loudly enough for the teacher to hear it, but I could hear it. And all of a sudden, it was all I could hear. It sounded to me like it kept getting louder and louder. I couldn’t focus on the teacher at all. That pencil was all I heard.

[@saberswordsmen1]

Only thing I slightly disagree with is the framing some people walk away with from The Body Keeps Score; it is your body, but your brain is a part of your body. Physiologically, trauma (and most experiences) form neural pathways, and you can definitely break those down and reform new ones without drugs. Some people can really use that extra help drugs like ketamine provide, but for those who don't have access to that, it's still very possible to address through things like CBT based therapies. I'm just a little leery when people try to separate the body and the brain as distinct entities... they aren't, your brain is an organ and is the primary physiological manifestation of traumatic experience, with other manifestations being secondary. It's just on a subconscious level that feels instinctual. But it's mutable with or without the assistance of drugs.

[@moniquehuchet3646]

It makes a lot of sense to me. Nice to hear it explained so well. Glad Trevor is working it through, I miss his humour. I explained me to myself as creativity in overdrive, my mind takes off at the slightest trigger, at 86 I no longer apologize.

[@seanbeukman9563]

I also accidentally learned I am ADD, with huge surprise. There WAS some trauma etc etc but THEN, I was inspired by Oprah who experienced significant abuse but transformed her pain into a therapeutic tool, by getting others to share their stuff. Boom! She addressed a huge need for people to offload and share without shame. When I look at Trevor, his insights into all people(driven by hyper curiosity due to challenges), facilitated his brilliant sense of humour. Talking about things we think but dont say for example. Long story short, there is NO NORMAL. Why would anyone want that? In other words, tagging oneself with some 'dysfunctional' tag may be serving pharmaceutical industry, but we all have unique challenges. The trick is to convert them to ADVANTAGES. 'Normal' is being the unique individuals we are. When we see all the unhappy histories about us and others as life lessons, it is empowering and liberating.

[@christinespiers-wy9kr]

My two nephews are Anglo, and law enforcement officers. We are very proud of them.

[@LucyFernandez628]

Let me guide you to this specialist whose psych trip will blow your mind, he has been my guide for some time now he's got shrooms, Lsd, Dmt and other psychs stuffs he's reliable also and also ship discreetly

[@LucyFernandez628]

They're on Instagram

[@LucyFernandez628]

*drkyles1* is the handle

[@dharmakaurkhalsa3923]

Trevor is so REAL, conscious and smart. Love him for that. ❤

[@Maev3ing]

I have ADHD and ASD diagnosed at 26. I feel shame and it is a powerful feeling. I am in therapy and just now discussing my own shame. I suffered from depression and ptsd as well, but figuring out why I'm depressed I figured out I have bipolar two

[@fluffyclouds555]

As a fellow ADHDer, I’m pleased to learn Trevor is one of us. But also - how did he stay so present in interviewing people? He is so great at it

[@TobyChidolueT]

Knowing is in 9:00 incredible and it kind of opens the world up to you, you start to see it everywhere and your tolerance for others with ADHD, especially kids, increases exponentially. Everything in the world definitely opens up to you. I'm definitely self-diagnosed though.

[@Kamulah]

I am a 37 year old woman and I had a major stroke when I was 27 that left me with executive dysfunction (adhd) I knew something was different with me cuz I could no longer choose what to concentrate on. My mind would just go on a tangent. Now that I'm diagnosed it makes it much easier to know what's happening to me and now I'm figuring out ways with my therapist to cope with it. I'm glad we have a rep like Trevor Noah. (When he went on the green scaly tangent, I was right there with him😂😂😂)

[@jiggahenry9471]

Every time I see a police car, I stiffen. My friend doesn’t understand, she says why? You’re not doing anything wrong? She is from Caribbean, I’m glad I’m not the only one who does this.

[@JonathanOpperman]

"Knowing is 80% as effective as treating"🙏. People convinced me I was a narcissist, that took extra work in therapy.

[@cartomancycarmen]

Aww Trevor. I’m sad someone like him could ever be depressed. He makes me so happy even during the most tragic times of my life. And he is pretty adorable ❣️

[@romanamurray7437]

I have never been diagnosed, but have and always had the exact symptoms. It was only fee years ago, my friend said, that ME... Sounds like ADHD... I don't like labels, I don't like fitting in... I like people, I like to make people laugh, don't take myself too seriously, but struggle with fear and conventional life of working... So my life goes. But why does it have to be disorder. The brain just functions a little bit differently. And what? But one has to know, how our brain works and the adjustments to make to co- live in the society. But at the same time, look for the society that fits you and your character. It will make you happier, for sure. I found that only recently... And trying to change things. But it is not easy, when there are other people involved... Family, friends.... House, countries.... But can be done. I get sometimes into deep depression.... Quite good at covering it up... My husband gets the stick... Unfortunately... And all it is, I feel trapped. So learn to know ourselves. It will make us happy... Happier. Good luck everyone. And I love you Trevor. I love your way of thinking and brain-working.

[@17leprichaun]

dang, that was so on point!!! I'm in therapy now and what Trevor said was true to my conditions in so many ways. Thank you Trevor! As you said: giving it a name is 80% of healing, starting to know what to work on... Thanks again and greetings from switzerland

[@ipekkutlu78]

Thank you for initing this genius. I love how he articulates human condition beautifully. My hubby has ADHD and I have so much empathy for ADHD. I have childhood trauma so I relate to Trevor's story. Thank you for having him over.

[@dunmatta2670]

Thank you YT algo. And thank you for this conversation Trevor and Neal. Keep it real. With a flood of information readily accessible, I feel the human mind has been exposed to a lot more than it can handle.

[@eshaw9826]

I'm so sad to hear Trevor talkof his experiences and this pain. He is such a uniquely special person who is immensly entertaining with his intelligence and state of mind. Trevor! You are perfect exactly the way you are. You are above the stuff of this world.

[@CeeTheJay]

The "shame v. ADHD" insight is pretty profound. Thanks, Trevor!

[@TheCampsiteRule]

I always advocate for people to see a psychiatrist opposed to a therapist and get a proper diagnosis first, talk therapy can be really detrimental for certain people. I have OCD talk therapy would have made me worse not better. Understanding your brain is paramount. Great video!

[@MultiMolly21]

I think I have independently discovered an even less related connection; between depression and breathing through the nose or not. Many people I know well suffer from a deviated septum and depression and could cheer up if they just got that nose job; not because they don't like their nose, (or they maybe don't but pride keeps them from straightening it) but because they aren't breathing properly, or they are actually struggling to breathe and it's affecting a certain part of their brain. This may be why vigorous exercise is such a good antidote to depression. Give it some thought before you dismiss it. My experience is mates and children as well as a few strangers I was spot on about, like a young latina woman.

[@creative.unfolding]

I wish more people get access to knowing that ADHD and depression symptoms are actually VERY often the Nervous System gone out of whack due to intense circumstances growing up - violence, trauma in relationships to caregivers - and then your body wires itself into permanent survival mode and basically perceives danger all the time just to be sure. This causes agitation, brain fog, shutdown, checking out/dissociating. It's so cool to know this because that is something you can heal. You reshape your nervous system back into being able to regulate properly again, having your brain function well, experiencing less depression. ADHD labels offer less hope and possibility.

[@EveryHandleIsTaken979]

Diagnosed ADHD at 9 but it didn’t get me help or support. It did get me shamed extra by some people in my life! People talking about it who got diagnosed as adults have helped me to alleviate some of my shame around it

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Wow, this is for Trevor, from another Saffer, you just really helped out here my man. I won't even try to explain it all, just to say that realizing that one has ADHD so late in life, has stunned me. And as you so rightly said - just knowing what is going on with me, and why, changes everything. So THANK YOU for telling us your story, I relate 100%. All the best.

[@CreativeInspireP380]

First time I see one of your interviews - I've appreciated Trevor Noah for a while now, and he's such a candid and open interviewee, but I gotta say you are an impressive interviewer yourself :)

[@alexmule1997]

Diagnosed at 45. Absolutely agree. I was “ if he just made an effort”

[@h3artands0uLL]

This helps understand Trevor a little more. Met him once and he was a bit of a dick but his friends were nice. Maybe he had a moment like this. Who knows

[@tjm326]

How was he a dick?

[@sassylass9305]

How was he a dick? How did he act?

[@balyesiimajauhara3218]

Wow, this is the best video I have watched today, completely describes my struggles, with attention. I wonder if I can find the therapist, he's talking about.

[@PatriciaPickenpaugh]

This is a great interview. His ADHD trail-off bit is so real. Sidenote: I legit just want to make Trevor Noah smile and giggle a little; I would melt, lol.

[@MattThornton-og4xo]

Mr. Trevor. Thank you for sharing. I follow Dr Barkley and he highlighted your thoughts about ADHD. You explain what I cannot. You make sense of ADHD on a real level. Thank you. Neal. Thank you for having this man on and highlighting a mental health issue that so many misunderstand. Hell even I have a hard time explaining it! Now I can write crib notes on my palm so I can explain. Anyway love it

[@mikegent2434]

Wow, this conversation has revealed so much. Thanks

[@salentipy]

This was a great little snippet with Trevor Noah!

[@PoseyLane]

I am working on trauma/CPTSD and MDD. At 44, I discovered I have ADHD through a test for something else. The doctor said she is not sure if my ADHD is caused by trauma or if I was born with it. So, trauma can cause ADHD. If someone is born with ADHD (without trauma or depression), the ADHD symptoms can resemble or feel like trauma. However, I know many people with ADHD who don't have depression and trauma symptoms. As I do heavy therapy trauma, my ADHD is getting worse, and my therapist said this is normal - it sucks. I feel like my brain is a sieve. I am 52 and it has been quite a struggle.

[@davewolinski8424]

Comment by Kim Wolinski: Trevor is a pillar of ethics, integrity and self-inquiry who continually uplifts others worldwide. Such a breath of fresh air, role model and leader. Thank you, Trevor.

[@garyburner4362]

I diagnosed myself as happy...it was confirmed by the bird at the window...

[@histoirettes]

10:01 Noah going into thinking mode reminds me of the cat thinking about Tuna thuesday in KLR dub videos...so relatable.

[@spiritheartlove]

A lot of counselors stopped focusing on the when and how problems came to be. Most recent psych focus is from today forward. It makes sense on one hand but not for people with high ACEs, trauma. Some things can't be talked away with positive psychology.

[@bellelavie3422]

I really really really want to meet Trevor Noah. I think he’ll be touring in my city soon. Hoping to make it to his show so maybe I’ll have a chance then.🙏

[@01ehlert]

This is how I feel every day!!! I get this in my soul!

[@MadHatterTheMatter]

bro. it took me graduating GT with a 3.5 and then struggling in a real job to realize I had fucking ADHD not just depression and anxiety. Mental Health Care is HELL ON EARTH

[@LeonJacquesBTS]

When you know, then you understand! The most ADHD explanation ever!!!! I feel so seen!

[@Plantbliss]

It’s a good day in time to be alive really. Ketamine and cannabis and therapy have given me back my life. I thought I was going to be doomed to pain and depression for the rest of my life and I was making plans to make that short as possible.

[@spiritheartlove]

Just knowing has changed my life. Most recently I was diagnosed with autism. Omg that's exactly where my mind will go, the shower head side quest .

[@Rexapocalypse1]

I stopped in a Dutch town for a night and missed my friend's wedding 4 weeks later. Got diagnosed with ADHD years later, I missed a lot of weddings and shit until then.

[@khaboushsigead3965]

As a nurse practitioner worked in psychiatric units, ADHD needs much of counselling than medical therapy.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Well that just made a lot of stuff make sense. I'm 65 and have just started therapy for childhood SA, am also coming to terms with the idea that a lot of stuff l attributed to that, may be ADHD. Sounds absurd but, Trevor talking about the shower head, pretty much describes my thought process every conversation l have. Edited to add that Trevor's comment about diagnosis being a positive thing reminded me of Patty Duke talking in her book about when she was diagnosed as Bipolar - her relief that what was wrong with her WAS actually a real thing and it HAD a name and that because of that she could get help.

[@tanadarko6991]

I have depression, ADHD, PTSD. Frankly I think the PTSD is the "root" if I only had to pick one thing. Trauma is what took me out of my body and floating around all over the place. Trauma triggers my depression. And I have PMDD as well which is a serotonin/progesterone reaction which... in research - MORE LIKELY WITH TRAUMA. I think too I consider my PTSD more of a disability than ADD. Sometimes ]it serves me really well in my job - I'm good at making connections, I'm innovative in my field. Now does it cause me problems? Of course. But there are benefits to something that has the words "deficit" and "disorder" in the name. What I'm very curious about is psilocybin PTSD treatment. It'd be nice if I could do that now, at 45, but it'll be too expensive and out of reach for a long time even if it ever becomes available to the public. Anyway I think his ADHD serves him. Makes him so amazing at all t he connections he makes and his unique perspective on the world. Comedians have it and theyh're great at observational humor for a reason. A lot of them do deep dives into something that other people can scan right past.

[@wanderwildes]

Great interview! This information is so important to get out there. Kudos to Tim Ferriss and Michel Pollan also on this issue. The more the merrier.

[@VagaBond-m6w]

I have ADHD and autism. For me, depression usually happens when my life needs me to stop, change paths, I'm overwhelmed cuz of trying to do too much, etc. Like you said, it is a symptom, an indicator; it's not necessarily an illness unto itself; it is a beacon to pay attention. Psychedelics have really helped me with global symptoms in several areas such as anger, anxiety, understanding, acceptance. I would love to try ketamine.