ADHD and Creative Divergent Thinking: The Psychology of Idea Overload

Are you constantly jumping from one topic to the next, sometimes interrupting others or not even listening to what they're saying? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how many ideas you come up with at once? Would you consider yourself creative? And - last question - do you have ADHD?
If you said “yes” to at least one of those questions, you may want to grab the popcorn and watch this video on ADHD, ideas, associative thinking, creativity, and the default mode network.
Here's a sneak peek into what you'll learn:
- Idea overload: When you’re completely overwhelmed by the volume of ideas and connections you come up with in a given timeframe.
- Connecting ideas and concepts: Ever felt like your brain was playing six degrees of separation on steroids? That's associative thinking for you. Discover how ADHDers excel at linking seemingly unrelated concepts faster than you can say "my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard." (That reference will make sense when you watch the video)
- Associative horizons: Associative horizons are like the horizons you see in the sky, but with ideas. It’s how far your mind can reach to connect concepts, sensory stimuli, or ideas. There’s narrow horizons and broad horizons. And… Would you surprised to learn the people with ADHD are more likely to make quicker associations than neurotypicals?
- The science of the ADHD brain: Get ready for some neuroscientific insights! You’ll learn about how the default mode network (DMN) and the central executive network (or task positive network) are different in ADHD brains, and how that’s connected to creativity and broad associative horizons.
- Brainstorm like a boss: Learn how to harness the power of focused brainstorming near the end of the video.
SOURCES USED IN VIDEO:
www.notion.so/whatintheadhd/I...

[@TheLostStars]

During this video I felt like you were describing the exact way my brain works.

[@coolbluelights]

When you said "milky way" not only did I think of stars, and a candy bar, but every song I know that has the phrase milky way in it, as well as the bassist from My Chemical Romance because his name is Mikey Way... yeah.

[@sheaboucher1795]

This makes me feel like my brain is cool and capable imstead of scattered and lacking 😭❤ Thank you 🫶

[@WhatintheADHD]

❤❤❤

[@scantrahan]

sorry the algorithm sucks, literally all the youtubers I follow are finding it harder and harder, so its not just you great video btw, sending it to friends who might enjoy it

[@scantrahan]

also yay outer wilds

[@cinamonswirl]

this video made me feel so validated for having so many different systems for jotting things down and for having so many distracted ideas that are not that relevant. tysm for making this!!

[@WhatintheADHD]

Tysm for watching!! So happy it helped you feel better about your systems. ❤️

[@oddluck4216]

This makes all those times I need to distract half my brain to study or struggle to read (and reread and reread and...) make SO much more sense! 😅 Thank you! 😁

[@WhatintheADHD]

SO MUCH SENSE! Thank you for watching!

[@JasonReimink]

Lol Milky Way made me think about the role of tricksters in folklore. In grade school we had a field trip to the planetarium and they shared a story about Coyote trying to bring a sack of stars to a place where they were being distributed, but he wound up dragging it and causing a little hole, and that's where the Milky Way came from

[@alisonklemp]

This video is so encouraging

[@bobduncan4167]

Was never diagnosed but I grew up extremely creative -- it was hard to do anything unless it was extremely amazing. It literally hurted to do mediocre things. That's why my comics and drawings were so successful.

[@robynx_x]

I was always told I was having a 'grasshopper moment', jumping from thoughts that seemingly have no relation to anyone but me. Then I'd have to spend the next half hour explaining to teachers/parents/friends/partners how I got to that point 😅 Thank you for your videos. It's great to feel seen and help understand the 'why' a bit better ( ^◡^)

[@Parcory]

This was immensely relatable and relieving. Using this to show my fiancé how I feel. Thank you

[@WhatintheADHD]

I hope it helps your fiancé understand you a little better!! 🥰

[@michaelstrutin6201]

Setting a time limit for thinking up solutions!? Will be doing that for all the reasons you talk about - especially the over thinking part:)

[@WhatintheADHD]

My son and I actually did this the other day and it was SUPER helpful!!

[@claudettedorsey1838]

Thank you! Several useful lights came on as I watched this video!

[@WhatintheADHD]

You're welcome! 🥰🥰

[@serenawestendgirl]

Such great insight and information! Your work helps me understand my brain better, thank you ❤

[@WhatintheADHD]

❤️❤️ thanks for watching!

[@licidly]

i was struggling with motivation and came across your video from 3y ago, you helped me so much! I'm so glad you're still making videos, i hope you get the attention you deserve soon!

[@WhatintheADHD]

Sorry to hear you're struggling, but happy I could help in some way! Thanks so much for taking the time to say all of this. 🥹❤️

[@ZaoStrength]

I used to have the most insane level of associative thoughts. Like this video to a tee. Then I started taking SSRI’s and other meds and they’ve tamed down a bit more, but damn I do kind of miss them.

[@WhatintheADHD]

Yeah, I'm not sure how I would feel if the frequency of my random ideas and associative thoughts just went down! Yeah, it may be easier to think and focus, but my random thoughts are what makes it bearable living in here! (in here = my brain)

[@ZaoStrength]

@@WhatintheADHD yeah absolutely- especially as the world atrocities continue to be livestreamed on social media for all of us to see and we out here just trying to figure out how to make enough money to pay rent then also help

[@GodofAbraham]

🤯 Yes 3647 times how did you know?

[@WhatintheADHD]

😂😂 lucky guess!

[@LaydeeHijabee]

My mind depicted in this video 😂😅

[@WhatintheADHD]

💀💀💀

[@wiscochic861plutochic5]

My milkshake song is by kelis not missy. Just thought I’d let you know that oh yea I am adhd 🤣😂🤣🤣😂

[@WhatintheADHD]

WAIT REALLY HOW DID I MISS THAT 😂😂😂

[@brendalg4]

I wonder if this is one reason people don't like me.

[@WhatintheADHD]

:( What makes you say that?