Why Dr Gabor Mate' is Worse Than Wrong About ADHD

[@suzannemacpherson]

I can confidently say that I did not experience trauma until my ADHD symptoms became a problem in my family and in school. The trauma theory has never sat right with me as a neurodivergent person so I appreciate the validation. More importantly, I appreciate the facts and science. Thank you, Dr Barkley.

[@eugkra33]

You wouldn't know if you did, because most children don't remember stuff before like age 3. Despite that there is still plenty of research that shows the negative effects very early trauma like this can have on a person, even if they don't remember these events. It shapes your character.

[@hollybigelow5337]

Amen. I have had an extremely similar experience. I was an extremely happy child up until about age 4. Personally, I suspect both of my parents were neurodivergent as well, and I am the oldest child, so I had no idea I was “weird” before I went to school. It sometimes amazes me how many of my early memories are still intact. Hitting Kindergarten was quite traumatic for me. To be honest, I don’t think the trauma fully sunk in until about 2nd Grade. Some part of me still had hope things would change before that point. It’s not like a light switch where it suddenly turned on one day. Even my first day of Kindergarten I was already noticing that my confidence and happiness were taking hits. But it was only around 2nd Grade where I finally gave up hope and fully embraced my permanent identity as a second-class citizen that everyone hates.

[@jimwilliams3816]

@eugkra33 that is likely true at least some of the time, but unfortunately it has provided an easy get out of jail free card for the people who want to insist that other people’s cognitive issues are trauma. No one can disprove the claim, because if they disagree it’s because they don’t remember. That’s what you basically did here. Someone said, “I believe I have ADHD, but not trauma,” and you informed them that they are wrong to think they can know that about themselves. There are unfortunately an increasing number of people posting on autism and ADHD channels that these conditions are actually trauma. Unwanted advice is just that; but also, bear in mind that neurodivergent people tend to get told a lot that they are wrong about what they have, and that what they really are is whatever the other person thinks. It’s thoughtless and invalidating...and probably wrong. Ought I to go on trauma oriented channels and inform the people there that I know that what they really are is autistic? No. I realize that the people who insist these things are all actually trauma are probably doing so because they think they’ve been given the facts by an expert who knows. This is why Mate, who has a sizable audience, has a responsibility to do better. He’s not only doing a disservice to people with ADHD. He’s doing a disservice to the people who follow him.

[@suzannemacpherson]

@@eugkra33 Interestingly, I have a vivid memory of being little (under 5) but I don't remember what I did last week. You're right, I possibly don't remember things that could have happened. But, I do not recall being as depressed, emotional, and reactive until I hit maybe 7 or 8 years old... and that's when everything started becoming an issue for me at school and at home. I definitely remember having years of being carefree, and that, to me, does not align with the trauma theory.

[@suzannemacpherson]

@@hollybigelow5337 My mother is neurodiverse and I know exactly what you mean. I found going to school, even kindergarten, quite stressful. My social accuity, which I still use, got me out of trouble often. Must be why I am a people pleaser to this day

[@jonnytodd7045]

I have read Dr Gabor Mate's book Scattered Minds, and in that book he wasn't saying that there is no genetic factor in the development of ADHD . As I remember it, he was saying that there are genes that, amongst other things, predispose people to hypersensitivity, and that for infants that inherit those genes, and who also experience an interruption in the connection with the care giving parent, either through trauma the infant experiences, or that the parent has experienced, can result in ADHD. Whether this is true or not, I couldn't say, but at no point in that book does he say that there is no genetic factor in ADHD, and he also doesn't say that ADHD is purely due to trauma. I don't know what he has said in interviews, but I can only assume that you haven't actually read the book, because your criticisms are not accurate.

[@Kmesa48012]

Thank you for sharing this. As I too resonate with Gabor and it goes beyond what is shared on this clip. I work a lot within this field and it does involve & evolve a lot outside of this framework that this Dr. is bringing forth.

[@muzammal-h]

That is what I also recall Gabor Mate saying, in a KZbin video - that genes DO play a role - through hypersensitivity - and when this is coupled with trauma, ADHD can arise. So, I too felt this video by Dr Russell Barkley is mis-representing what Gabor Mate actually said.

[@StevenCrowe]

I agree.. It's as if Russ B. hasn't read the book himself. It's not parent bashing to explain that our culture that is so removed from the natural nurturing environment humans have experienced for 10's if not 100's of thousand of years, and is somewhat toxic. Perhaps ADHD is the fallout we have to accept for piling so much pressure on a loan mother, as is perhaps post-natal depression. It's wrong to consider it an illness and try to medicate it out of existence. I accept of course, medication helps many people, but that's not the point. It is, I consider a neuro-divergence much like autism. For what it's worth - I'm affected by it myself.

[@marinussorensen1748]

@@StevenCrowe Thank you for being one of the few for calling Dr.Barkley out on his blatant & aggressive misrepresentation, when so many others are so willing to accept uncritically his 'expert' opinion. Since it accords so closely with your own comment, I have added my much longer criticism hear as well. ... You say, 'Here I cite several research reviews, meta-analyses, and large-scale studies to show just how complex is the relationship of ADHD to adverse childhood experiences (trauma) and that having ADHD as a child can set one up for experiencing greater such events than would be the case for those who don’t have ADHD. Please correct me, I read this sentence as saying. 'Trauma, including ADHD, is traumatizing.' I can't for the life of me see how such a circular statement contradicts Dr.Mate. Dr.Mate has continuously made exactly this point that genetics, epigenetics & trauma all play a role. If you want to insist that trauma plays no role, I could understand the point of your argument, but you make it crystal clear, repeatedly, that trauma does indeed play a prominent role. Dr.Mate has also made it repeatedly clear that childhood trauma very often does not look like trauma to an 'objective' observer. To reduce ADHD to merely a genetic effect, contradicts your own statements. Since Dr.Mate does not make this same mistake, I find his explanation much more compelling & complete. You say, (13:48), 'Forget about the 'intergenerational transmission of trauma.' What exactly do you understand the 'intergenerational transmission of trauma' is, other than trauma, epigenetic or otherwise? Your statement reduces itself to, 'Forget about the trauma & there will be no trauma to consider.' which forgive me, is pretty oxymoronic. Having now moved into the insults, I should tell you that your insulting attitude & continuous over the top arrogance is a real turn-off & very unprofessional. How would you say it made you feel when I switched from a collegiate commentary to directly insulting your intelligence & motives? It is pretty clear that your motive for being so insulting is simply clickbait. Your attitude belies your motives. I don't doubt your belief you are doing good, but it is impossible for me to believe you, when you are so rude in saying it. Perhaps my own perspective is skewed by my own condition. I find it very hard to fully accept the words & explanations of so called experts, who are not talking from the inside. Your bio does not mention that you self-identify as ADHD, so I assume that you don't or it would be a point of pride. To give a crystal clear example. I used to self-identify as Apergers until I found out what a right piece of shit he really was. The very long history of the study of Autism only self-corrected once Autistics themselves corrected it. It goes without saying that non-autistics can still learn but they can never catch up with the understanding of Autistics & should always look to autistics themselves as their primary source. The fact that the professional class never came to this conclusion on their own & to this day insist on imposing unhelpful words like 'deficit' & 'impairment', etc., that cause real harm & even trauma, again is a real black mark. Being a professional yourself, you must be aware that 'mind blindness' works both ways, ie, so called normatives are at least as mind blind as autistics & often are considerably more so. The effect is similar in this way to being left-handed. Being left-handed means that you have to operate in & adapt to a right-handed world. Right-handed people & non-autistics have no such need or experience. The fact that right-handed people & non-autistics are in the majority is no sort of excuse for this general lack of effort & even demonizing on their part. I appreciate that your experience has principally been in a clinical setting, where I assume you saw many significant impairments, but this is clearly not your audience for this video. Thank you for stimulating me to reply. I commend you to watch more of Gabor Mate. I know nobody who has been more in the trenches, working constantly with trauma than Gabor Mate, so your implication that he has no expertise to offer is yet another example of your arrogant attitude. Perhaps you would like to do another video on the nature of self-importance & arrogance, which you could explore from the inside. I assure you I don't ordinarily make a habit of insulting people for their opinions, but you are not primarily expressing an opinion but going out of your way to be rude & insulting & it seems like an appropriate thing to do to mirror it. yours in all humbleness, Marinus Sorensen

[@Classikh]

In the Joe Rogan clip Barkley referenced Mate literally says ADHD is not heritable. You don’t have to read his whole book to know that is a crock of shit

[@DaxPegels]

I am happy with these videos. In the Netherlands you have so many ADHD coaches saying that you can cure it because you can heal the trauma. And they will dig for trauma

[@FrankDeLalla]

That’s terrible. I worked with a religious institution where the demons were blamed and chased away. Not all that different.

[@canada7713]

that is so unethical:(

[@jamiejones8508]

As an ADHD coach who is an actual psychologist, I think that’s appalling and reflects the inherent challenges in an unregulated profession. On the bright side I suppose it makes it easy to weed out obviously unethical practitioners…

[@DaxPegels]

@jamiejones8508 that's true. I don't use a coach, but when I meet one, I always ask their opinion on Gabor. That way, I can stop talking to them.

[@karlafarrell1610]

Coaches are not therapists, that should not be part of their language at all. ADHD is not curable, it can be treated/supported by meds and a good adhd expert coach properly qualified. and self managment with support and support groups! Those coaches should not be digging for trauma,... they should redirect trauma to a therapist.

[@water7599]

Thank you for your dedication to ADHD science. I've read Dr Gabor Mate's Scattered Minds book and watched several of his podcasts, and I don't share the same view. Could you help me understand more if I've missed something. What I gathered: 1) He states that there is an Inherited Predisposition - which is far different from - Inherited Predetermination - which is inevitable. He chooses to focus on discussing the trauma and environmental impact - an aspect that is often neglect in popular research. 2) He emphasizes and cautions parents from blaming themselves when discussing the environmental impact on ADHD 3) He wasn't born a celebrity. I don't agree with the view that not publishing research on ADHD would lessen his credibility in anyway. Conducting research vs. the ability to comprehend and synthesize knowledge from outside sources - i.e not self-published research are two different skills and focuses. He had his practice for many years which would allowed him to see actual patients and gained important direct knowledge from them. Given that current research and scientists have not confirmed the ADHD causes, wouldn't it be fair to say both inherited or environment causes are all proposed - potential - causes? Since Epigenetic Markers, which control the expression of genes, would that be fair to say having the gene doesn't guarantee you would have the disease? As someone with ADD myself, viewing it as having an Inherited Predisposition NOT Predetermination, and strongly impacted by the environment is more empowered to me, that means I can do something to change the environment around me and get better. This is NOT about blaming parent or anyone. Parents should always have extra extra compassion and gentleness toward themselves. Parents love their child dearly and are notorious for self criticism and blaming everything on themselves. It's natural for parents to have bias in wanting to believe this to be an inherited disease, instead of thinking they did something wrong that affecting their child. But that not the point. This is about understanding what ADD/ADHD really is so we can help kids and adults with ADD/ADHD. I would love to learn more on this topic, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[@LifeWorkPurpose]

I absolutely agree that this is a very confusing video if you have read Dr. Mate's work or listened to him talk. It miss-represents what he says -- you did a great job of highlighting where.

[@konykim]

Thank you for this respectful comment. As someone who has also read Dr. Mate's books and listened to his interviews, I was struck by the way Dr. Barkley grossly oversimplifies and mischaracterizes Dr. Mate's position in this video. Nothing Dr. Mate has said contradicts the voluminous evidence Dr. Barkley cites - it simply offers an alternative, more nuanced interpretation. E.g., Dr. Mate has specifically offered an alternative take on what considerations are missing in the adoption studies and twin studies. I don't have a vested interest in Dr. Mate being "correct," but I do care about accuracy, and this video is wildly inaccurate about Dr. Mate's position, essentially attacking a straw person. It seems disingenuous.

[@ThankGodItsAutism]

I think what may be most harmful about his perspective is that it leads people to believe that by healing their trauma they will be able to cure their ADHD, leading people into a loop/lifetime of trying to heal something that cannot be healed, but can be managed through psychological skills not outlined in his books, and of course: medication.

[@mojo9021]

​@@ThankGodItsAutismADHD is just a label for describing a collection of symptoms or observable behaviours. There is no solid "thing" attached to you called "ADHD" that you "have", like a detectable bug in your brain. It's a complex phenomenon and should be seen and investigated through a nuanced lens. The underlying heightened processing is what would remain if you addressed the trauma. The trauma is what leads to the problems people observe. The more sensitive predisposition of the nervous system could also be a strength - but you'd still have to learn how to manage it. Most of the problems in managing it mostly stem from trauma responses probably though. And of course all modalities should be considered, medication included (and its side effects). Maté never said to never take any meds. He has been using them temporarily himself.

[@kaikaikai79]

​@@konykim Dr Barkley uses twin and adoption studies as "irrefutable" evidence in this video, without discussing any of the limitations like Dr Mate has done. I agree with you, it's completely misrepresenting Dr Mate's take on ADHD. What Mate does is, talk about the moment-by-moment complex interaction between genetics and environment. He does not deny the genetic aspect of neurodivergence. He points out the complexity, whereas to me it seems that Dr Barkley uses too simplistic of an explanation. Of course, he uses countless studies to back up the claims he makes, but having read Mate's take on the limitations of twin and adoption studies, I feel that no amount of those "prove" anything. At the end of the day, perhaps it's about choosing what to believe in based on your own experience/personality etc but neither take sounds "non-scientific" to me

[@Seaturkey4379]

As a fan of both your research, I feel the need to clarify my interpretation of Mate's work. I studied both of your research, and read several of your books. That said, Dr. Mate describes trauma as an overwhelm to the fight/flight system. People with ADHD have a hyper sensitivity to the environment, we are more easily overwhelmed than "neurotypicals". Trauma is a loaded and triggering word, Mate is saying that early and sustained exposure to adverse environmental stimuli will more easily trigger the fight/flight response. In other words, sustained exposure is considered trauma to the body.

[@Smurfageful]

It doesn't make sense because you can be ND coming from a good environment . He says it's a coping mechanism - so how can you explain ADHD being linked to tourettes and autism . People with ADHD and bad circumstances might end up getting diagnosed because they need help/medication. While people with ADHD and good circumstances won't need a diagnosis. That's why there's a correlation between bad circumstances and ADHD diagnosis but it's not the cause . He explained it in the video. He also is saying it's from bad parenting and trauma. But healing trauma starts with forgiveness of yourself and upbringing so his points are actually damaging to most people with trauma. Although he explains trauma really well and I do like a lot of his work. He shouldn't be stating his ideas like it's a fact

[@Smurfageful]

Also being sensitive to the environment doesn't make sense when people with ADHD do well in stressful environments such as firefighters

[@Smurfageful]

We deal with stressful environments better...

[@katieann9026]

​@@SmurfagefulThe key is the type of environment. As an ADHDer I am hypersensitive in social environments but if were in a disaster scenario I'd like be able to dissociate from my emotions and function quite spectacularly.

[@realolivertwisted]

@@katieann9026 isn’t that funny? I know I would do well in a disaster scenario too (even tho my daily life is a mess 😬🤷🏼‍♀️)

[@tylerelstrom]

Thank you for making this video. I run the big corporate community around adhd for Keller Williams. We have parents with adhd who also have kids with adhd and then have blamed themselves in the past. We did a call on the myths around adhd using your research and it helped release so much shame. This is so important and I’m excited to share this video with the group.

[@mdlatham7]

Corporate community? Sounds awful.

[@Undoing88]

Sounds like you're doing a great job. Keep at it! Wish we had this information when I was a kid, would have changed a lot for me.

[@tylerelstrom]

@@mdlatham7 What I mean by “corporate” is that it’s an officially recognized community by Keller Williams Realty. They give us event space and support. I’ve been a real estate Coach for 12 years and I specialize in agents with ADHD. I started it to help agents that can’t afford their own Coach but have ADHD and need help. It’s free too. 1,100 members in 2 months and we don’t advertise. It’s just word of mouth. I put polls out each week and all the agents vote on the topics they need help with and I do a weekly call based on what the community votes for. We have guest speakers I pay for out of pocket, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalula friendly business planning clinics, and body double zoom that anyone can jump on for free at any time. Anyway you can tell I’m passionate about it. 😂 If you know anyone in real estate with ADHD, you know where to send them!

[@rebeccat9389]

Those people are lucky to have someone very informed on their team!

[@tylerelstrom]

@@Undoing88 Thank you! We are working on some bigger projects for outreach next year as a community. Hopefully we can make sure more kids have a better experience than us. Next year we are going to open up the community to those not in real estate and start bringing in more and more resources for free. Hopefully it will help more and more people work with their brain and love how they are wired while minimizing symptoms.

[@binghobson7122]

Thank you so much Dr B. For so many years I’ve thought I must have been a disappointingly awful mother. Now my grandson at the age of 8 is showing the symptoms of adhd. He has been nurtured so lovingly by my son and his wife. With evidence now of the genetic link my son has realised he has adhd and this explains so much of his history, but then when digging out his old school reports to show him I realised it wasn’t just him but me! Yesterday at the age of 73 I got a formal diagnosis and my whole past life is starting to make sense. Finally I can stop beating myself up and acknowledge that I really did do my best. Sadly too late for my poor dad who was an unhappy man who drank and smoked himself to death far too young.

[@nittani.]

Idk why this makes me happy sad abd glad to see this unfirtunately other peoples misfortune becomes other peoples fortune

[@SIC647]

I had the most normal, safe, and supportive upbringing, and I still have ADHD. My mother's brother had it, too. And several of their cousins. And very many people back generations in that branch of the family so very clearly had, what we call ADHD today.

[@SIC647]

I am so sad that you had to deal with all this for both yourself and your son. But I am happy that you finally got diagnosed. And that the family now knows about it in the family.

[@binghobson7122]

@@SIC647thank you for your kindness

[@binghobson7122]

@@SIC647exactly this, childhood trauma had nothing to do with it!

[@caolilan]

I just finished reading Scattered Minds, and given all the criticism, I was very surprised to find that Gabor Maté writes that ADHD is genetic. Also, he does not write about trauma at length does not say that Trauma with a capital T causes ADD. I keep feeling that a lot of people who take issue with Maté may not have read his book. At the outset, writing in the late 90s, he says that his focus will be on exploring environmental triggers and impact of child brain development may have on awakening a generic predisposition contra predeterminism..

[@thatotherjohnc]

Yes he absolutely is not claiming it's "trauma" at all, it's the parental response to an upset child who may or may not have experienced "Trauma", that's beside the point and this video is disingenuous and it's clear that a lot of the commenters here never took the time to watch the links provided or they would have questions for Doctor Barkley.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I have read his book. It is 25 years old and clearly out of date as to what little lresearch he references. A far better indicator of his current thinking on ADHD are his interviews on the Joe Rogan Experience from Sept of 2022 and on Diary of a CEO about a month later. It is these contemporary opinions of his that I am even more critical of than his far older trade book. In those videos he claims ADHD is not genetic (see minute 58 of Joe Rogan) and he blames parents, and modern parenting, for the trauma they cause in their children through their parenting methods (see entire first hour). He and I have corresponded on the matter and these videos show I have not misrepresented his current opinions. Thanks for watching.

[@h3k4me3]

He has explicitly claimed that ADHD isn't genetic in an interview.

[@MichaelCastelaz]

I’m quoting Dr Mate here. “ADHD is neither a disease nor is it heritable.” Google the Joe Rogan podcast he was on. He says it a few times.

[@sarahalderman3126]

@@MichaelCastelazlol, actually that isn't even the quote!😂

[@arich20]

I think there's more nuance in Mate's suggestion on ADHD and genetics and environment, than it appears most people come away from his presentations with - having read a lot of his work, i have not come away from his statements with the belief that he thinks there is little to no genetic basis. I think his actual position is actually quite aligned with the data in this video. He's also very clear and repetitive in his statement that Parenting is Not to Blame - chronic STRESSORS to the child and/or parents, are big factors. I also think it's important to understand how much scientific study (all over) is considered to be exact and serious and accurate, when in reality many studies will claim something and determine things are correlated without realizing they aren't necessarily in relationship to each other, so much as being individually in relationship with something else which would make them appear to be in relationship. I think this video does a great job of pointing out the kind of attribution errors I'm talking about. The issue I take here is that (having listened to him and read his books), my experience is that he HAS gone out of his way repeatedly to discuss this and clarify that his assertion is not "bad parenting causes trauma that causes ADHD" but rather, his argument is more what this video is describing. He's spent chapters trying VERY HARD to state, "I AM NOT BLAMING MOTHERS / PARENTS AND HERE'S WHY" It seems like this video is a take down of people's misconceptions of what his actual statement is.

[@arich20]

@@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster I don't think that's what is happening, having read most of his books (and in particular, the ADHD one). He's not alleging abuse; he's alleging stress, and specifically picking up on parent's stress, leading to not practicing the production of dopamine structures enough to develop them fully. Just like if we don't learn languages early enough in life. He spends several chapters deliberately stating multiple times that he is NOT blaming parents, NOR calling them abusive.

[@arich20]

@@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster where is this quote where he says abusive and not stressed? Or are those the same in your mind? I'd love to understand more about this because, again, my interpretation of what I have read and listened to was distinct, but I'd love to see what you're referring to

[@arich20]

@@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster I asked where, not what.

[@katieann9026]

A lot of criticisms of Mate are strawman arguments that seem to arise from defensiveness and ego.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I have read his book. It is 25 years old and clearly out of date as to what little lresearch he references. A far better indicator of his current thinking on ADHD are his interviews on the Joe Rogan Experience from Sept of 2022 and on Diary of a CEO about a month later. It is these contemporary opinions of his that I am even more critical of than his far older trade book. In those videos he claims ADHD is not genetic (see minute 58 of Joe Rogan) and he blames parents, and modern parenting, for the trauma they cause in their children through their parenting methods (see entire first hour). He and I have corresponded on the matter and these videos show I have not misrepresented his current opinions. Thanks for watching.

[@Gar96229]

I have an immense amount of respect for Gabor Mate, and he is definitely an extremely intelligent person whose thoughts and opinions are absolutely worth listening to. But like everyone else in the world, I don't agree 100% with everything he says. What he says about ADHD is absolutely very interesting to listen to, but simultaneously, I still disagree with him. The idea that ADHD is a response to trauma doesn't quite fit with me, I feel ADHD is far more a catalyst for trauma than vice versa.

[@henriettelegde8518]

Totally agree 👍🏼

[@brianna094]

😂 A catalyst for trauma? riiight

[@Gar96229]

@@brianna094 My undiagnosed ADHD caused me to develop a personality disorder which resulted in me being admitted to hospital twice after several suicide attempts. So please don’t laugh, undiagnosed ADHD is not something to laugh about.

[@Freemindinc]

Totally agree adhd is genetic !!

[@l3onerdo]

true, the trauma it creates is the actual problem with adhd

[@la_Grichu]

I came across one of your vids during the pandemic and i realized how little i knew about myself and how wrong i was about thinking i was crazy, instead it was just ADHD, and my whole life changed, thank you for always fighting for us 🙏☺

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

Good for you. Many cannot make that leap. And yes, Dr. Barkley HAS always fought for truth with compassion and serious work.

[@kasia199213]

Before I start watching I want to thank you, after reading your book 'Taking Charge of Adult ADHD' and watching your lecture on yt I went to get checked and indeed got diagnosed with ADHD(PI) and got medicated at 31. Hopefully life will get easier from now on.

[@Dragonkrux]

All our hopes are with you!

[@kasia199213]

@@Dragonkrux thank you so much!

[@jamiejohnson5748]

I feel like this describes so many people. Making the info freely available online from a trusted source is so important. Dr. Barkley is a huge part of why I got diagnosed as well.

[@Malitubee]

What would you rate his book as far as offering practical tips to help manage your adhd ? I’m thinking of buying it as I was also recently diagnosed

[@kasia199213]

@@Malitubee I'm still new to this but as far as books go, this one I liked the most from one's I've read on ADHD so far

[@sanz7820]

I highly appreciate how you stick to the science and avoid any and all bullshittery. There's so much both misinformation but also what I'd call "toxic positivity" around the topics oof ADHD and other forms of "neurodivergence". It's become more of a trend "to be neurodivergent" and with it has come this wave of bullshit agendas on many levels. I'm so tired of hearing things such as "ADHD is a superpower, it makes you super creative and gives you hyperfocus!". Thank you for those videos you made debunking those ideas and more. We need to stay in reality to understand what we're dealing with - and only by understanding can we help each other and ourselves.

[@mrooz9065]

ADHD has its share of romanticization of mental illness.

[@xtrmpwng1125]

What you consider "toxic positivity" might be a speck of hope for someone growing up being told that something is fundamentally wrong with their brain. What seems more toxic to me are the people who have adhd and dont want to spend the time working on themselves and figuring out what they're good at or what environments they can thrive in, while simultaneously putting others down when they say that adhd is their "superpower". I have adhd and have struggled with it for most of my life but the more I educate myself and become more in control of my surroundings Im realizing that it plays a huge role in the things i love to do. Maybe there needs to be a shift in perspective of what these "disorders" really are. For the most part, people portray them as negative things and i dont understand why we forget to talk about the many positive things that come with it as well.

[@gilly5094]

@xtrmpwng I agree. Having ADHD does make many aspects of life more difficult but, with determination, it is possible to identify your strengths and adjust your life so that the negative aspects have far less impact. I wasn’t diagnosed until middle-age and the best thing about identifying that I had ADHD was that “Ah!” moment where everything finally makes sense. Making these adjustments has transformed my life. I do actually believe that the hyper-focus, speedy brain and creativity are valuable gifts. I don’t take the horrible medication. I know it works for some, but it wasn’t for me.

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

The crazy thing is, there are some powerful commercial interests behind these "superpower" narratives. Including from one ADHD pharma.

[@keithrowe1007]

Bullshittery is denying the power of the ADHD mind; focussing only on the attributes that lead to poor marks and addictions, while willfully ignoring the creative capacity, the problem solving, the ability to focus on a task. There is very little art that is any distance from ADHD. In my world there is a saying, “if you can’t solve the problem, it’s because you don’t have enough ADHD in the room.”

[@billyireland79]

I'm 45yo w inattentive ADHD. I was probably diagnosed with ADD when i was around 7. The whole "He's so smart, but such a daydreamer." But not one drug, psychologist, therapist, or tutor could ever help me. A couple years ago i did DMT and a video of Gabor found me shortly after. I can finally say i know I'll never be cured, but Gabor brought on a new world and self worth for me. A true sense of identity and compassion for myself, which was previously frustration and hating who i was. Matè brings in genetics and trauma. I honestly believe my childhood trauma woke up and exacerbated my inattentive ADHD by 100 fold. My whole life became one huge coping mechanism. And now witnessing my 40yo friend that had more recent trauma, turn into an ADHD mess, i do believe trauma CAN play a huge part in many of us with ADHD. I have no PhD, but trauma seems like it can cause and/or amplify any mental disorder. Especially when it comes to attention and avoidance. But one thing i recommend you change is the title of your video. It feels very harsh and i think it's preventing you from catching followers. You're only getting people to watch this video that love Gabor and i don't think you changed how any of us feel about him. I don't feel like watching any more of your videos because i just believe you'll be going against much of what i believe in and has helped me. Also being diagnosed with ADD early on in my life and having seen therapists and psychologists with absolutely no success, just one of Gabors videos helped me get on the path to deal with my disability. I will never have full control over it, but I'm so much more aware of why and how. Anyhow, in rambling. I appreciate your attempt to find followers, but i think the title will snuff any attempt to have a continued following.

[@increase2006]

Very well said!!!

[@spicyskyraisin7745]

I’ve felt guilty for literally years that I caused my children’s ADHD and Autism bc of poor parenting. (I’m not a bad parent I just have MH challenges). Thank you! I was Dx today with ADHD and this is what I needed to hear. ❤ you’re the best Dr. B !!

[@ellderflower]

I feel you ❤ turns out our whole family is some blend of adhd & autism… because genetics! Letting go of the guilt and shame ❤

[@blackswan1983]

Same. I'm so glad to have found Russell's lectures.

[@DrPatriceBerry]

Thank you for this video! I work with ADHD and specialize in treating trauma and his comments didn’t sit well with me. Trauma definitely impacts the brain and development; however, to say that all people with “adhd” have childhood trauma minimizes the experiences of the people I work with IMO.

[@FaCiSmFTW]

I think saying ADHD is purely genetic minimizes my experiences so it's sort of up to interpretation

[@sanamsi]

Hello, I’m saddened to see another professional speaking without even having read the book. Please read it before believing all this nonsense. This is defaming and accusations. Dr. Mate clearly claims adhd has genetic and environmental roots. If you want to help your clients please read the book. It was mind blowing and absolutely the opposite of these claims.

[@DontDrinkthatstuff]

The amount of misinformation about ADHD on the internet is crazy. This is going to be a problem in the future, considering how hard it is to find good reliable info.

[@SarahHodgins]

stick with Dr. B!

[@berlinbelllano4946]

It’s not difficult to find accurate information if you know how to read scientific articles. You interpret the results yourself. The issue is that no one wants to read for themselves and just wants to listen to the most competent voice rather than coming to their own conclusions.

[@cebruthius]

@@SarahHodgins That's pretty unscientific

[@nocoleok]

​@@berlinbelllano4946as a science graduate I respectfully disagree. There's a lot of jargon to parse, data methodology to understand, limitations and biases to interpret, funders to look into, etc, not to mention the reading comprehension level required to understand the research papers to begin with. I used to work with someone who advocated "doing your own research" who was shocked when I informed them there's more than just an abstract to review.

[@Donnah1979]

If you want to read up on the science, try going to a library and search via their subscriptions for scientific journals or Google Scholar 😊🤓 You can also search for books and articles written by Dr. Russell A. Barkley 😊 Getting knowledge is still possible😊, but I agree that disinformation, outdated ideas and misunderstandings are creating a lot of issues 😢

[@TylinaVespart]

Thank you for this, his views on ADHD have been bugging me for a while. I do think there’s some potential overlap in symptoms between people with childhood trauma and people with ADHD, but that could be caused (as you said) by our greater likelihood of ACE. It’s a gross mischaracterisation of what’s going on. Especially when you have children raised well who still have ADHD and/or Autism etc. It’s a dangerous idea that it’s “just trauma” and you can heal your way out of it. Sets you up to fail that way.

[@Limemill]

His take is (and I think he does quote some studies) is that it's very hard *not* to raise a child with ADHD if you yourself have ADHD because, as per him, an ADHD child is genetically oversensitive and needs a lot more attention to keep the attachment secure. ADHD parents, though, are by nature *less* attentive and can offer such a child even less attention than a neurotypical caregiver would. That leads to an insecure attachment, the child internalizing bad coping mechanisms (diverting their attention), which further prevents brain development

[@sallyunderwood66]

Agreed. Mate's ideas delayed my getting help for more than five years. I thought I could heal myself and meditate my way out of it, but things got worse. I was also involved with some anti-science alternative health types who loved to parrot Mate's nonsense.

[@Limemill]

@@sallyunderwood66 why though? In his book he does say stimulants helped him a great deal as well as a properly dosed antidepressant. I read his book, went to get diagnosed and started the medications. Did we read different books or did you miss those parts?

[@cayladodd9216]

@@LimemillI almost feel like these are drug industry plants trying to convince people that medication is the ONLY effective treatment. They seem like AI bots

[@ninjycoon]

Yeah, Mate should know what differential diagnoses is.

[@naqabposhniraj]

"There is in ADD an inherited predisposition, but that's very far from saying there is genetic predetermination. A predetermination dictates that something will inevitably happen. A predisposition only makes it more likely that it may happen, depending on circumstances. The actual outcome is influenced by many other factors." Gabor Mate, Scattered Minds, Pg: 26

[@tonegoober]

Thank you. Seems like almost nobody here actually read the book, including Russell Barkley 😅

[@lilmoe4364]

Thank you. He is completely misrepresenting what Mate is saying. People misunderstand everything, even the so called doctors and scientists

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I have read his book. It is 25 years old and clearly out of date as to what little lresearch he references. A far better indicator of his current thinking on ADHD are his interviews on the Joe Rogan Experience from Sept of 2022 and on Diary of a CEO about a month later. It is these contemporary opinions of his that I am even more critical of than his far older trade book. In those videos he claims ADHD is not genetic (see minute 58 of Joe Rogan) and he blames parents, and modern parenting, for the trauma they cause in their children through their parenting methods (see entire first hour). He and I have corresponded on the matter and these videos show I have not misrepresented his current opinions. Thanks for watching.

[@tfancher8382]

Thank you, Dr. Barkley! You have dedicated your life to understanding this neuro developmental disorder, making your research understandable & accessible and to educating the public. As a clinician, a researcher, an educator, and as a parent - I am deeply grateful for your work. Thank you for sharing this very articulate commentary on Gabor Mate’s position Re:ADHD and for both clearly sharing the research showing how his assertion is wrong and for explaining the concerning implications of his position.

[@naqabposhniraj]

@@russellbarkleyphd2023 I am so glad to read your insight on this comment Dr. Barkley. And just want to know your opinion on the works of Dr. Daniel Amen. Thanks.

[@TheThora17]

The title immediately caught my attention, as I am an avid follower and a devoted fan of Dr. Mate’s; what he explains makes sense and resonates with me. As an alcoholic addict in recovery, I cope with depression, anxiety, and ADHD. I have also suffered from a TBI about 30 years ago that still affects me to this day. I am skeptical, yet very interested to hear what this video claims…

[@dmkellett]

thank you so much for pointing this out. I have watched lots of his content and do not agree at all with him. I am on the other hand a HUGE fan of Dr Barkley's opinions on ADHD. Having recently been diagnosed at age 46 and being medicated with vvyanse 30mg I can attest to the massive quality of life improvements both me and my family have gained from the treatment. thanks for working so hard on the subject for so long :)

[@takiyaazrin7562]

KZbin should be the medium of academics. Sadly academics did not reach the masses

[@ninjycoon]

​@@takiyaazrin7562 Anytime I see an academic who makes content that is within their expertise I subcribe immediately. Unfortunately a lot of academics don't make their videos "fun and exciting" which is kind of needed to get to the mainstream.

[@specialTalksClub]

Awesome that the medication works. Matte is in support of medication and thinks that the cause of ADHD is multilayered and that genetics play a role. He wants people to be openminded to other possibilties even if they’re not true because it could help their lives.

[@catalystcomet]

I think some people see similar traits between ADHD and hypervigilance due to childhood trauma, and they automatically assume they're the same thing. Thanks for the video.

[@louiselovemusicproduction]

I have both! It is confusing.

[@mikiomahoney1]

@@louiselovemusicproduction ditto, CPTSD and neurodivergence is exhausting...

[@cebruthius]

Medical professionals tend to disregard the possibility of childhood trauma, lumping it all with supposed hereditary ADHD -- which is just as bad.

[@Birdmacher]

I think you’re onto something…

[@TheDavveponken]

the "symptoms of adhd" are so vague and all-encompassing that they include all human beings, but especially under stress. Most people have wilfully forgotten about or not cognizant of the traumas they've suffered growing up. Their childhood was their normal.

[@LinusBerglund]

I think one thing worth mentioning is that trauma and ADHD manifests sinilarly in many ways in children. I talked to a school psychologist about it, and she half seriously said thay trauma is preferrable since it is usually easily treatable.

[@MomoSimone22]

That's strange. Yes, you can treat trauma, but if it's ADHD, you can't just do trauma informed CBT and be done with it. That won't get rid of ADHD.

[@LinusBerglund]

@@MomoSimone22 that was why she meant. You can treat trauma. ADHD usually means long-time management.

[@MomoSimone22]

@@LinusBerglund I think I forgot where you said "half seriously". So is it that they prefer to treat trauma (vs treating ADHD) as opposed to they prefer to misdiagnose with trauma when it's actually ADHD?

[@stormwolf48]

@@MomoSimone22 I read it as them preferring (but not really) for the kids to be traumatized, because no one actually wants kids to be have gone through trauma but it's easier to treat. It's like saying you can have a shiny new car but only if you violently total your old one in an accident (kid with trauma) or you can keep your old car and fix it up over time (ADHD). You'd joke about it being easier to just get in the accident and get the new car because it would be easier, but I'd be worried if someone were saying it seriously that it would be worth the accident to get the new one.

[@nyarparablepsis872]

As someone with both ADHD and a backpack full of vile trauma I would honestly prefer just my ADHD.

[@mudrok6810]

I’d like to see a discussion between Van Der Kolk, Allan Schore, Dan Siegel discuss about brain development and causes of adhd. Genes are flipped on and off during infant, toddler brain growth and development. Neurons that fire together wire together as they say or temporary states repeated become permanent traits. The brain wires up to the environment it is in to increase chances of survival. I’m sure there is a genetic predisposition towards or away from adhd but the environmental factor can also play an issue. Both are likely equally important and neither should be ignored.

[@robynhope219]

Yes, flipped on and off as in epigenetic.

[@Because_Reasons]

Absolutely, futher genes don't work in the way we thought they worked. It appears, they aren't responsible for traits, they play 'a role'...

[@Rockell479]

Amen! I wanted to say something like this but you said it way better than I could have.

[@ProdigalSunTzu]

Much appreciated. In my clinical work i spend at least a whole 50 minute session per client doing nothing but correcting misinformation that, when is related, to adhd is almost exclusively from Mate or Peterson. And many parents are distrsaght trying to figure what trauma their child experienced. Its uncessary suffering for the parents, its a waste of a week we could have been intervening and its a waste of parents money or taxpayer dollars in my case since I work in public health. I can now refer parents to this video and hopefully save time for actual intervention. In my personal life my child got adhd and asd straight from me, he has had no Aces. He is according to everyone who knew me as a child a close copy of me in looks, behaviors and interests.

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

Thank you. That sounds like a potentially unpopular approachy, but you obviously have a conscience.

[@tonegoober]

Emotionally immature parents will do anything to avoid taking responsibility for the environments and dynamics they create in their homes. They gravitate towards reductive and uninsightful clinicians who will tell them what they want to hear.

[@specialTalksClub]

I agree! Parents trying to find what traumas their children expercianced is a waste of time, because trauma isn’t healed by knowing what caused it. When trauma manifests or we face symptoms we need to be awre of it and feel the pain and use something like cbt som our thought patterns doesn’t create the same response the next time something ”triggers” Trauma is not the external stimulation but our interpetation. Trauma can be caused a violent experiance and could be imagining our parents hates us when we’re babies and we believe everything we interpet like narcissists.

[@M2Mil7er]

This will be a hard video for me to watch since I've found a lot of help and comfort from Dr Mate's work. I believe he says these things because he genuinely wants to help. I myself have BPD from trauma, but I'm also AuDHD. I was born 4 weeks premature, with mum having lots of pre, peri, and post natal stress, which we know can and does contribute to / exacerbate developmental disorders. My understanding of what may have caused these things come from a combination of Mate's epigenetic model, and Barkley's hereditary model. Both are great men in my view, even if there isn't a 100% alignment in approaching subject. Interestingly, I've "read" Scattered Minds on audiobook, and can't recall the claim that ADHD can _only_ be caused by trauma. It seemed more in line with exploring the role of trauma, which can include developmental trauma (including low birth weight, injury), which we agree exacerbate it. I thank you for your continued work and add it to my 'meta-data'. 😊

[@mdlatham7]

I've also listened to scattered minds on audible. Dr Barkley is rudely dismissive and gives a disingenuous summary of Matés' book. There is something interesting with these retired academics setting up KZbin channels. I feel it's the narcissism in them. Barkely sees himself as a ubermensch.

[@tmbrtn7107]

Glad you posted this, I have listened to the audiobook and read the printed version of Scattered Minds and Maté never says "ADHD is not genetic." He says it is complex and that someone with ADHD who is nurtured well through childhood can excel, whereas someone with ADHD who is abused or neglected will suffer greatly. It's not as black and white as "genetic" or "environmental/cultural" - it's both.

[@amypeggs9606]

His website literally has this quote: "Rather than an inherited disease, Attention Deficit Disorder is a reversible impairment and a developmental delay, with origins in infancy." That definitely reads to me as though he is claiming it isn't genetic.@@tmbrtn7107 He probably has some good points in cases where ADHD is misdiagnosed. But the bald claims made about the disorder as a whole go totally against the research findings.

[@robynmitchell9563]

​@@mdlatham7😆😆😆 thanks Professor.

[@rdklkje13]

He may not say so in that particular book (I wouldn’t know, haven’t read it) but he sure has said just that in multiple interviews. Not a disease, not hereditary, only a trauma response to parental stress. I.e. if your parents hadn’t been too stressed you wouldn’t have it at all.

[@barrybarnum4390]

Interesting.. I am reading Scattered Minds, and it certainly resonates with me. Just 2 min into this Dr. Barkley says, "Dr. Mate doesn't exactly define what he means by trauma." Although halfway through the book, to my way of thinking, Dr Mate clearly defines trauma (paraphrasing here ) as a force that shapes our lives, our mental and to a degree, physical state. I now sensed that I lived within that traumatic realm and had been in therapy for many years, but not until I encountered Dr Mate's work did I connect at a visceral level, the subtle but distinct lack of attunement I had as a child to the above-mentioned traumatic state. Dr Mate never says that "insult or an unkind word" is in and of itself the cause of trauma but that these words can set off a traumatic response for someone who had suffered from that early set of non-attunement or attachment. And that's pretty obvious as you look around at how easily people ( including myself ) are triggered.

[@FICounseling]

By that definition anything is a trauma because Guns and Roses shaped my life, my mental and physical state in my teens, was that trauma (big hair bands, maybe). New Kids on the Block was certainly traumatic. If everything is a trauma, nothing is a trauma; a distinction without a difference looses it's meaning. I think Mate has something to offer when he defines trauma functionally "Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you." This is what Janina Fisher calls the living legacy of trauma. It's not the thing or event, it's what it did to you that matters. Where Mate fails is he puts no boundaries on what counts as a traumatic vs nontraumatic reaction.

[@44142726]

@@FICounseling please tell us how guns and roses shaped your physical state

[@hanzfest8660]

Dr Mate's work basically focuses on Trauma. If anyone hasn't read a single book from him, you won't understand trauma. Even Peter Levine or Bessel Van der Kolk explains trauma similarly as Dr Mate. I've worked on my traumas, and still working on it. Dr Mate led me to healing and back to spirituality by dealing with my traumas. Trauma is a wound, not everything is trauma as well. Science is for Western thinking, thats it. Anything that is not "scientific" for them is wrong. And I've seen kids early on with ADHD symptoms and I look at the parents and how they take care of them, and you clealy see the reasons why kids nowadays get ADHD or other so-called diseases. And Dr Mate by the way will just love you for your opinion. As long as it works, it works. Science? No thank you.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I have read his book. It is 25 years old and clearly out of date as to what little lresearch he references. A far better indicator of his current thinking on ADHD are his interviews on the Joe Rogan Experience from Sept of 2022 and on Diary of a CEO about a month later. It is these contemporary opinions of his that I am even more critical of than his far older trade book. In those videos he claims ADHD is not genetic (see minute 58 of Joe Rogan) and he blames parents, and modern parenting, for the trauma they cause in their children through their parenting methods (see entire first hour). He and I have corresponded on the matter and these videos show I have not misrepresented his current opinions. Thanks for watching.

[@S3L3N3BEAR]

As a mom with adhd who has a kid with adhd thank you so much for this 19:29 ! I already blame myself for “giving” my child my adhd through my genetics. I don’t need to be “parent- bashed” by others. I do it to myself enough 😅

[@5hydroxyT]

to be clear, Maté doesn't say this either...Barkley should have read one of his books.

[@simasmith100]

Exactly! I don’t think he’s actually read ‘scattered minds’- he is misquoting the book! I appreciate and respect Dr Barkley’s knowledge on ADHD and have gained much understanding from him but after reading Mates’ books I felt like all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly make sense. Along with the ‘Hold your children close’ book Mate co-wrote with Gordon Neufeld I feel like I understand how I ended up with ADHD,from neglect ( I love my mum and she did the best a mother could under the circumstances,so by no means her fault) and how my daughter got it from my parenting. I found this empowering not mother bashing- in understanding this I was able to forgive myself and be a better parent to my daughter. It’s given me so much self acceptance and even if other people don’t get it, it’s been transformative to how I feel about myself, no more self hate and guilt. Mate looks at as much research as Barkley and presents the conclusions the he with his extensive experience has a right to, he also names many other scientifically respected researchers that agree with him. I’d have liked Dr Barkely to have explained how ADHD is definitively genetic- are they able to show the actual genes responsible for ADHD like they are able to for say, cystic fibrosis? Because all he did was list a number of research papers,that frankly, could have back up Mates book and interviews if people understood what he was saying. I’ll have to read through the papers Dr B has listed and find out since he didn’t explain any of it.

[@S3L3N3BEAR]

@@simasmith100 I had very loving and supportive parents. No trauma and no neglect. I still have adhd as did my father and many others in my extended family. While I do believe some cases of adhd are caused by trauma (physical or emotional) there is no ways that all cases are. There is tons of evidence to support genetic links. I'm glad that Mates book was good for you, that's genuinely great. However, for someone like me whose adhd is genetic it's not helpful to hear that it's just my parenting or that I have somehow traumatised my 3 year old. Anyway, my original comment wasn't even actually about Mates (first commenter misunderstood me).

[@5hydroxyT]

@@simasmith100 glad to hear Mate's approach helped you - it did for me. I know Dr Barkley's work well, and unfortunately I don't agree with a lot of it - not because it isn't based in research - but because he gets paid large amounts of money by Lilly and Shire, 2 companies that make ADHD drugs. I think this skews his perspective a lot

[@starlightsith]

As the adhd child of a parent with adhd, my feelings can be complicated. I feel a mountain of resentment for being born ADHD when I feel like I could've been born neurotypical. But I also know that taking steps to prevent disabled / "undesirable" people from having kids is a very dark road to go down. Like, it's straight up Nazi shit. But if you were to prepare your kid for the struggles you yourself went through so they can do better than you did, and you understood that they weren't just "faking it" among other harmful stereotypes, then you'd make for a good parent.

[@mrsc6786]

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy and genuine information. I am the mother of fraternal twin boys, raised the same, always in the same classrooms, happy childhood. One has adhd and needs medication, one is the most chilled organised boy who cruises through life. They're 17 now!

[@dirkhamilton2709]

Thank you Dr Barkley for your work! As a lifetime “sufferer” of ADHD, whose brother has the same, whose father had the same, whose grandfather had ADHD, It is NOT “trauma”. My grandfather, father, and I all had very different childhoods and lives, but what we all have in common are ADHD symptoms. Fortunately we all have (had) high IQs, which allows us to mostly make up for it. I didn’t suffer any sort of trauma that made me scatterbrained. I just didn’t.

[@specialTalksClub]

Very few people can recall trauma. Many people see trauma as PTSD or like violance and that’s not always the case. Trauma is not the external stimulation to us but out interpetation. Matte does never say that ADHD isn’t somewhat genetic. If the baby interpets unwantedness and gets so overwhelmed that it dissociates, it can becoma a trauma.

[@susanfletcher921]

Oh my goodness, this has been a great relief to me. I have ADHD. My daughter does and her son does. I bought Dr. Mathias book quite some time ago and I read it and I have been reluctant to share the book with my daughter. I think it is very damaging for mothers to think that the environment that a child grows a pen is the reason for ADHD. Thank you so much for clarifying this.

[@salzkraut8176]

Great relief because ADHD isnt curable but trauma is? Very egoistic take.

[@jamiejones8508]

@@salzkraut8176don’t be a dick. Mate has made a career based on untruth. The mum here is relieved to know that she didn’t cause her child’s ADHD. Believing such a toxic untruth is good for no one.

[@ninjycoon]

​@@salzkraut8176 Great relief because She was reluctant to put the blame for her grandson's ADHD on her daughter. Which makes sense because that would be a tough pill to swallow.

[@Tenr540]

It sounds like you have made the mistake of blaming yourself, of which Dr. Mate has stressed numerous times that blame is not helpful nor encouraged by his findings. It is crucial to remember that it was not the environment nor your inherent actions that may have been damaging, rather it was the child's perception and intergration of every event for that matter, that over time results in varying degrees of mental illness. Regardless, it is human nature to hear words like that and place blame somewhere, however it seems like many mothers have not been able to put that habit aside in order to understand his books and teachings correctly.

[@jamiejones8508]

@@Tenr540 it’s also important to note that he’s not a scientist, pays no attention to the current evidence base & is incorrect in assertions that parents cause ADHD. I’m a psychologist specialising in ADHD, with ADHD who does know how to evaluate the evidence base & has done so. Mate isn’t helpful & he isn’t right…although he has got rich on being wrong.

[@nirvanapilkington]

My first attempt at getting a diagnosis for ADHD, I was told by the psychiatrist that Gabor Mate didn’t need to use adhd medication so I wouldn’t need to either. Instead he wanted to give me antidepressants and anti anxieties. I said no and he almost got angry with me when I wanted to go down the adhd meds route. Needless to say I went elsewhere but Mate’s influence has also impacted people who should know better.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Good for you for doing so. That was such nonsense using Mate’ as an expert on managing ADHD. Be well.

[@kellytyrer6445]

Mate admits to taking meds for ADHD, not sure what your psychiatrist was talking about.

[@WavyThunder67]

In 'Scattered Minds', Maté in no way states that one should not use medication to treat the symptoms of ADHD. He instead focuses on treating the condition holistically, which means coupling medication with a broad range of therapeutic techniques. If you encounter someone using another person's work to justify their own opinions then go to the source and check for yourself. It's the best way to ensure the truth of the matter.

[@holyinnernet]

Mate also mentions that he has kids with adhd who are medicated

[@SarahHodgins]

you could still need anxiety or depression meds, because they often are a result of ADHD. It is foolish to refuse medicine when it can literally *save your life,* as mine has done several times. ADHD as you know, is hell.

[@aitordotco]

I´ve read Mate´s book on ADHD and seen dozens of his talks on ADHD, and I don´t find him particularly interested in convincing anyone of the origins of ADHD or trying to victimise parents. He actively presents himself as a paediatrician, not a scientist. He makes it totally clear that he speaks from his personal experience; as a doctor, a father and an ADHD person himself. Whoever approaches his work knows that, because he mentions it over and over again. The core idea I get from his book is the importance of the relationship the parents have with themselves and with the child. That´s it. I find that understanding the ADHD brain is closer to an art form than a science field. So I don´t mind how many papers someone has written on what university. I always filter the information I receive and see if it makes sense and resonates with how I feel, no matter where it comes from. I don´t think Dr Gabor is right in everything he says but also think he doesn´t deserve many of the critics he receives. He´s a psychiatrist, not a paper writer. His sole goal is to help people make sense of their lives, throw ideas to play with, and change paradigms. And I think he excels at that.

[@timdrum3517]

Very good said.😊

[@Sammyxxoo]

Our daughter was diagnosed with ADHD 2yrs ago at the age of 5. We also have a 4yr old daughter who doesn’t have ADHD. I have read about Dr. Maté’s definition of trauma more specifically childhood trauma and the parenting style he says causes it. And it in no way lines up with the way we have been raising our daughters. I’m a very empathetic person so I’m very aware of the emotions of the people around me and I’m also aware and sensitive about the impact my emotions or behavior have on others. We have nurtured her since she was born and as parents we both agree that children should be allowed to be children, we don’t try to make them be little adults or tell them to sit down and be quiet we let them be kids. We give them lots of kisses and cuddles and we understand and let them express their emotions but we teach them for instance, hitting because your angry isn’t a healthy way to express your emotions so we teach them other ways to express it. As part of her ADHD it has taken her longer to learn how to regulate emotions than kids without ADHD but it has also taken her longer to learn a lot of things like how to write and draw. Her ADHD was not caused by an emotional response to any kind of trauma. And I absolutely believe it is hereditary because I have a cousin and a nephew with ADHD and my husband has a brother with ADHD. I don’t know if trauma can cause ADHD for some people but I absolutely know that it wasn’t the cause for our daughter and we know her better than anyone. Dr Barkley makes perfect sense and I find him to be very credible. Thank you so much Dr Barkley

[@pinchi90]

okey. but what about you or your husband trauma? i dont know if you believe that but trauma can be passed through generations

[@Seatosummittherapeutics]

Did the doc give out medication for the diagnosis?

[@kristidin1983]

Defensive much? You have no way of knowing your child's perception of her world. Just your response alone is alarming.

[@slother93]

I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 47. I had a wonderful childhood and suffered no traumas whatsoever. In fact, my dad and I even engaged in rough and tumble play! I’m curious how Drs Matè and Peterson would explain my ADHD.

[@mrooz9065]

You didn't suffer trauma in childhood?! Dr. Mate's disagrees. You have to have one. If not, Dr. Mate's is willing to manufacture one for you and me or anybody else.

[@avah_007]

@@mrooz9065 ahaha, I thought the same! And Peterson would tell @slother932 that nooo, no ADHD there, it's all in your head. Well, that's kinda true 😂

[@Thesteadfast]

Mate has ADHD and has written a book on it so I hold him way more responsible than Peterson who's incorrect comments are from off-the-cuff takes during some lectures. ADHD is not his specialty at all. My guess is that Peterson would shift his view if he had a conversation with Dr Barkley. Mate's take seems personal....like he sees it this way because of his own experiences and could not be convinced otherwise.

[@lagomorphia9]

@@Thesteadfast Relying solely on his own experience is a huge part of the problem when he has a celebrity soapbox and is painting all ADHD with the same brush. Mate had mild enough ADHD that he finished university, had a career, wrote books... something many with ADHD can only dream of because their daily dysfunction means getting dressed, fed, and out the door on time is almost impossible. Its probably why he feels one can meditate or om their way out of ADHD but if we look at the much higher likelihood of those with ADHD to have failed relationships, addiction, criminality, be more accident prone, to name just a few ugly heads that rear up it has to be genetic. I have decent parents and a normal childhood but my ADHD grinds me into despair daily. Meds only take the edge off by their emotional regulating effect so I am less bothered by the dysfunction. He has done a lot of damage to the ADHD community, probably thinks he is helping and for some with ADHD as mild as his it may help. But his blanket statements all over the internet sucks.

[@robynhope219]

​@@lagomorphia9so right...many ADHD ppl have comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and antisocial behaviour. Med school for such ppl is completely out of range. Gabor Mate has a very privileged life

[@kikitauer]

Thank you for going into this and sticking up for us even though the possibility of drama is high.

[@kikitauer]

@@stoneneils I have no idea what you're talking about. I suggest you learn about science, learn how to read papers and then read some. Also I am 44 and I don't have children so stop assuming things about me. Not a competition, why are you saying it? No one implied it ever.

[@Dragonkrux]

I am not a child. I'm a grown woman, without children of my own. If you'd put any real work into reading the literature of people who are ACTUALLY researchers and active in the field of ADHD you really wouldn't say such things. This isn't one video alone. This isn't one doctor alone. Mate is only a GP. He isn't an ADHD clinician nor a researcher of genetics or neurology. He's opinionated, unjustly so, about a topic he has no real experience in. Genetic studies on ADHD have indicated time and again that there is no one gene for ADHD. In fact it's highly suspected that it's a group of various genes, not all yet identified, that work together to create a spectrum of ADHD that is predictable and heritable. All the reputable studies available indicate inheritance. They indicate complexity in cause. They indicate high levels of comorbidity due to the large number of genes involved. I'm not an expert, but unlike some, I have read the research, understand the underlying principles, and bow to the expertise of people in the fields of psychiatry, genetics and neurology. @@stoneneils

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

You got that right about the possibility of drama. But we never go wrong sticking with the truth.

[@AntifascistAllDay]

⁠@@Dragonkruxwhat @kikitauer was saying was Dr Barkley will probably get some grief from Mate or his followers, patients etc. Oftentimes when people think they "know" something they're very defensive to any criticism.

[@eko3326]

Thanks for your continued work Dr Barkley, you've done so much for us.

[@jeez31]

It's so important that this disinformation be shown for what it is. Thank you for being a persistent voice of reason, Dr Barkley.

[@tonegoober]

But he completely mischaracterized Gabor Mate's position in the first two and a half minutes. I just finished the book - it sounds like Russell hasn't even read the book!

[@thatotherjohnc]

Actually all Dr. Barkley did was create more misinformation. Watch the link provided here to the Joe Rogan interview and you will see that Dr. Mate never said at all what Dr. Barkley is claiming here. Perhaps he never watched the video himself or has some agenda to support his "good friend". Frankly I was interested in Dr. Barkley but having seen this complete mischaracterization it calls into claim everything he's ever said.

[@GeoffBob77]

When I read Dr Maté's book "Scattered Minds" it struck a chord. Barely several chapters in and I was convinced that my parents were to blame for my ADHD. I have personally endured many of the toxic parent-child interactions described by Dr Maté. However, by the end of the book I was left with a nagging question: What if I went through what I did BECAUSE of my ADHD? I am now, more than ever, convinced that the trauma I went through (predominantly as a result of verbal abuse, but also some physical) was due to the simple fact that my parents had no idea what ADHD was (there was no diagnosis for it back then and nobody had even heard of ADHD where I lived). My self-involved parents did the best they could with what they had, which was a combination of very little at all and brute force. Like so many others, I was a square peg brutally hammered into a round hole with constant threats of "you better sort yourself out or else!". I lost count of the number of times they told me "You're going to have problems when you're older", and they were right. Sadly, it was left to me to eventually understand that I didn't just have personality issues: That I needed both therapy and medication to behave in an even remotely socially acceptible fashion. I don't doubt that I was born with ADHD, but my childhood experiences certainly didn't help me. I believe that Dr Maté is wrong with regards to childhood experience causing ADHD, but his book will nonetheless resonate strongly with anyone who went through the level of rejection that I did due to my ADHD.

[@davidross4036]

@@GeoffBob77 and if you hadn’t successfully understood the direction of causality? Kept blaming your parents? I remember when schizophrenia was blamed on parenting. Mothers were told they had stressed their children through their alleged coldness - the term ´refrigerator mother’. Think it might increase the chance a vulnerable kid might get the wrong idea, go the wrong way?

[@woyblank751]

Please, don't blame yourself - or any condition you were born with - for what you experienced as abuse. Not discounting that your parents may have tried hard and that they didn't have easy answers - it's still doesn't necessarily mean whatever they tried was enough.

[@jzen1455]

Me and my sister have profoundly different responses to the same traumas we experienced together. She has what I call "trauma amnesia" and has forgotten many traumatic experiences we both experienced that have forever been etched in my mind. She's a lot more disciplined, focused, and driven than I am. She had an over 4.0 GPA in high school, while mine went from ~3.0 the first 2 years of HS to less than 1.0 some semesters. Even when we were really young, we had vastly different temperaments. I just think we're very dissimilar genetically and only share 46% of the same DNA, which is 1.5 standard deviations below the average of 50%. Yeah, environment may have influenced our differences as we didn't experience the exact same environments at the same age, but I'd argue our difference are largely genetic. People process different traumas differently. One event may lead to lifelong turmoil to one person, while it may be forgotten and barely influential on another. Gabor Mate over-simplifies the causes of ADHD and addiction and overstates socialization (psychological trauma) while severely downplays genes and physical trauma.

[@frankooo805]

This is so relatable and a beautifully expressed point of view, not so much the book but everything else. I'm sorry that you had to go through that, all the best

[@grounded9623]

Totally agree.

[@SopranoJoan]

Thank you ❤️ I appreciate Mate's gentle approach and validation of the hurt that can come from past events. However I was saddened and even felt betrayed by his facile explanation of ADHD and autoimmune conditions. My critical thinking mind shares the same scathing critique and I am so grateful that you backed it up with your extensive knowledge of the solid science behind it all. Thank you for sharing your gift for all. ❤❤❤

[@fascistscansuckit]

Mate has learned that his approach of seeming to care, of looking oh-sooo-sincerlely carrrinngggg, will result in big cha-CHINGGG for him, via sales of books, seminars and trainings, etc etc. I have ADHD, my one adult child is on the neurodiverse spectrum as well. We can both spot a fraud a mile away, and others in the community have discussed having this same ability. Mate is a fraud.

[@alexanderh.8181]

His talk actually caused me to dive deeper into the whole topic and eventually saved my life after severe CFS (autoimmune).

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

And thank you and all the others replying here for watching this and being open to a far more realistic and science based view on ADHD.

[@SarahHodgins]

Dr. Mate worked with addicted people in Vancouver and is a very interesting doctor but for him to ignore research is disturbing. However he claims to have his own addictions and maybe he is looking for easy answers to difficult issues...

[@SopranoJoan]

@@SarahHodgins it's a classic case of "if all you have is hammer then everything is a nail". I think he's right that trauma can contribute to addiction and that's important for the fight against addiction and to support initiates like safe injection sites. Sadly he is addicted to his own story with missionary zeal and can't see beyond the single minded trauma narrative. Or maybe he's more interested in selling books. I'm really disappointed, he did have something to offer, but he overreached

[@hopesonhigh]

Dr Barkley you are simply an amazing person! The personification of "for the common good". God bless you!

[@ADHDMoney]

Another brilliant video. Thank you Dr Barkley for bringing this to light. People with ADHD already get ridiculed enough that we cannot afford to have incorrect information going around. We need to stick to the science!

[@rebeccafrencham2554]

Love this! Especially calling out the mother blaming. To strengthen your argument further, I wish you had pointed out that many 'mothers' did not get diagnosed with ADHD due to the male bias within diagnosis in the medical sector. Thus, the genetic link has often been misrepresented. I myself, and many other women I know did not get diagnosed until our 30's and 40's or beyond when our children did. Hopefully, as the medical sector becomes better informed more girls will be picked up earlier on and thus this link will become even stronger in the literature. Thank you for what you do.

[@TheCrimsonIdol987]

Thanks Doc! I'm constantly having to explain to some people that I was born with ADHD and autism, but some people just refuse to accept the brain I was born with. Luckily, I have a wife, friends, and family who are extremely supportive. :)

[@specialTalksClub]

Genes has it’s role but doesn’t determine. We can be born with autism but your genes had envirommetal effects in the womb. Could be millions of factos but something it was. Mothers stress? Illness? Drugs? Bad health, diet?

[@TheCrimsonIdol987]

@specialTalksClub None of those factors apply in my situation, especially with a family history of ADHD and autism. So, really, I was born with ADHD and autism. What other alternative explanations do you have?

[@stenloli]

It's been 14 years since I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 22, and I find myself reflecting on the journey since that pivotal moment. I wanted to reach out and extend a heartfelt thank you for the instrumental role you've played in my life. Your research and insights into ADHD have been a guiding light, offering clarity and understanding in a landscape that was once obscure and daunting. Your work has taught me that while medication is a crucial component in managing ADHD, it is the knowledge and strategies you've shared that have truly empowered me. I've learned how to harness my strengths and navigate the challenges associated with ADHD. This journey has been one of growth, self-discovery, and, most importantly, hope. Your dedication to the field and your compassionate approach to those affected by ADHD have not only helped me but countless others. You've transformed the way ADHD is perceived and treated, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for your continued, unwavering, commitment and for being a beacon of knowledge and support in our community.

[@ThePatchworkQuill]

Thank you SO MUCH for this incredible video I've been disappointed and disillusioned by Gabor Mate sharing these harmful pseudoscientific ideas around ADHD. I simply haven't had the time or mental energy to put together a rebuttal and thankfully now I don't need to. I'll be sharing this far and wide!

[@robynhope219]

He can afford pseudoscience bc he is a celebrity 👍

[@Katiedora122]

I appreciate this. When I look back at my childhood and some jobs I've had as an adult before my diagnosis, there were certainly traumatic events and extremely stressful experiences that have exacerbated my ADHD. But these experiences weren't shared by relatives of mine who also have ADHD, and it is tiring having to deal with people who blame that other stuff rather than just accepting what I was born with.

[@farooqbinadam]

Thank you doc! I can confidently say that a lack of parental discipline and systems greatly contributed to my ADHD. Being able to do whatever I wanted as a child had made doing any work unbearable and difficult. It's only in the last 20 years, that I've been able to learn how to self-regulate and do the work without distractions and abandoned goals.

[@gecp1711]

That's trauma though

[@RandomPerson-hj8fq]

Sounds like BPD

[@flanigansshenanigans7104]

Before I learned about ADHD, I blamed all of the problems in my life, that were a result of cognitive issues, on childhood trauma. It made me grieve the person I would have been with a different childhood. Nearly every struggle was a callback to trauma and I couldn't put it away. I suffered serious mental health issues due to this. Now that I know that I was born this way, I can accept my life and I don't have to think about those things, and I am finally in a place where I can choose to work through them. Gabor Mate is doing serious harm to people with this unethical promotion of an untested theory. It is cruel. I didn't even think of the guilt that parents experience due to his work until I read the comments here. I've been hoping someone would make sense of what he is doing so I am very grateful for your work on this. I hope it undoes some of the harm he has done and continues to do.

[@jonasbertilbellander]

👍👌

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

Thank you. 💗

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Thank you. I hope it counteracts the harm that he has done as well. But he has a near cult following so it’s not easy reversing all the fictions he has injected into our popular culture on ADHD. Be well.

[@JackAndErnie]

You were NOT born this way.

[@ninjycoon]

​@@JackAndErnie You can view clear differences in babies with ADHD from neurotypically developed babies. There are symptoms of ADHD at all points in life whether you've experienced trauma or not. The research is abundant and clear. It's genetic and highly heritable.

[@kcampbell8983]

THANK you for this video, Mate's suggestions about the origins of ADHD and trauma was truly maddening to me, I am so thrilled to see this being called out.

[@DanS8204]

Dr. Barkley, thank you so, so much for addressing this important issue, and you are quite right in pointing out that Gabor Mate’s theory about the origins of AD/HD is “worse than wrong.”

[@mdlatham7]

Why is he right?

[@SIC647]

​@@mdlatham7Extensive research shows a very high genetic component to ADHD.

[@farsouthfungi]

I wonder why people are soooo against ADHD, Autism and the like. I never saw the stigma until other people did. Thank you for your work.

[@mpclair]

Dr. Barkley, thank you so much for this very thoughtful video. I am not very familiar with Dr. Maté’s theories so I appreciate your explaining this particular theory. However, I can’t help but think that he may be half right: if a person is susceptible to ADHD because of genetics, then that person is more likely to be sensitive to environmental triggers. And, as you say, there are likely more triggers in a family where at least one of the parents has ADHD. What I seem to understand from the little I know of Dr. Maté, his main objective is to institute change in society to reduce these triggers, including at the family level. There are certainly innumerable triggers that place stress and strain on families, some of which are societal (like a low minimum wage). So, regardless of the source of the ADHD, shouldn’t we at least praise him for his ultimate objective?

[@hwy1983]

Thank you. I find it off-putting when one professional begins a series by criticizing another in the same field. I'll be keeping an open mind but I do wish the person at the podium presumes we are smart enough to sort through evidence and logic and draw our own conclusions rather than steering us away from a rival at the gate. Gives off a bit of authoritarian approach or maybe even insecurity. Too many "experts" are anything but collegial, never grasping how the approach diminishes respect for their authority.

[@meganthurkins6496]

THANK YOU!! I've actually been waiting for you to respond to Mate’ for some time, and appreciate this so much. I am aware that some with ADHD find him to be helpful, but as an individual with ADHD and mother of three with the diagnosis, his stance makes me feel incredibly unseen and invalidated. As a clinician that focuses on this population, I have deep concerns re: the damage he has done and continues to do in influencing those with ADHD to not seek out adequate and best-practice treatment. I'm also amazed at how many listen to Mate’, who is a family physician and NOT a psychologist and/or researcher specializing in ADHD. Why does this individual have such a platform?

[@isilmonika]

Mate's book "Scattered Minds" helped me to seek diagnosis, I think it was quite good at explaining symptoms. I wanted to cry while reading it because it was all ME. And that book was an introduction to my personal research on ADHD. However, I always had doubts about the trauma/stress part. I had friends that had much more traumatic childhoods than me, who are neurotypical. And, to a degree, almost everybody goes through stress during childhood. He even goes on to say that these kids get ADHD from the stressful environment while they are in their mothers' womb. I always thought if this is true, then ADHD should be much higher, like 50% of people should have had ADHD. Now, everything cleared up in my mind after your video. Thank you.

[@dylanreinboth9577]

Really appreciate you addressing this.

[@terri2069]

Finally, someone is challenging Gabor Mate. He is wrong about some things. He seems to get some right, but he is not as right as he thinks he is. It is very closed-minded.

[@Lakshyam9]

Thank you so, so, so much for this clarification 😊 🙏 I have sufferered fron undiagnosed ADHD from childhood. I'm certain my late father too had it. I'm coming to terms with it slowly and learning how to deal with it. In India, awareness about ADHD is not all that much.

[@FreidaRiga]

I've had a late (too late) ADHD diagnosis. My life was a mess from 11 years old to this day and I'm now suffering from chronic depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. I actually don't care about a genetic cause to my condition or if it is my parent's faults. My dad surely had ASD, but as he was born in 1927 there was neither diagnosis nor any kind of understanding of the way he functioned. I'm sure I got some of his traits. So ? Genetics are not the problem. Rather, it was his ignorance and the fear he had of himself that he hid as he tried to fit in society. My mom showed some signs of ADHD but it was so masked in self regulation and conditioning (religious, mainly) that it's hard to say exactly. The problem in our relationship as in the education I received remains the same: ignorance, denial in the necessity to fit in. So whatever flaws my parents had, whatever genetics they passed on, they are not the main cause for my childhood traumas which shaped a personality based on anxiety, fear, strong sense of inadequacy, and very low self-esteem and self confidence. The real cause of my parents failure as of my many "dysfunctions", of my depression and disorders are: 1. School ; 2. Religion (guilt, ignorance and stereotypical norm) ; 3. Corporative culture and workplace culture; 4. Capitalist paradigm (all about productivity, you know...). So I'm with Gabor Maté on this: we need less genetic researches, less medication, and more social reforms, more access to knowledge of ourselves, unconditional love, encouragements, kindness and above all, an alternative way of learning + a fluid work structure + possibility of a life style that fits our profile instead of having to twist, bend, hide, compensate for who we are!

[@increase2006]

So well put! It is imporssible to dismiss environment and blame it all on genes. I feel for you and what you have been through, as it's very similar to my life's struggles! Wish you the best!

[@jamiehill7877]

Thank you for addressing this! As a counselor I see children that appear to have ADHD when they actually have anxiety or trauma but I’ve never believed that trauma actually caused ADHD. Both my kids have it, but guess what? So do their parents, lol, no major life trauma for either of them.

[@kerriehamilton5084]

If you grow up with dysregulated parents you get it too. This was me. They need a regulated nervous system in there home to have a normal nervous system to grow healthy. This is why l'm on my healing journey it stops with me. No more passing down for generations.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

Thank you for this video. I'm sure his heart is in the right place, but Maté's ideas caused unnecessary friction in my family.

[@cillinodonnell8729]

Ideas can cause friction in your family and Gabor Mate is responsible? Are you sure he is entirely to blame or is there a little more to this?

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

@@cillinodonnell8729 I think you misunderstood my comment. *I* am responsible for not fact checking Maté's ideas before spreading them to other people in my family. I didn't say anyone was "entirely to blame" for anything, just that his ideas caused friction in my family - which could have been avoided if I'd been more careful to check my bias. All the best.

[@cillinodonnell8729]

I think you misunderstood the point I was making. In your family, some ideas are acceptable, and some aren't. if you have different ideas, it causes friction. Is the problem here with the way you force ideas onto people or your families inability to tolerate different ideas or are the ideas themselves what are to blame?

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

@@cillinodonnell8729 my family are hyper religious and think I'm full of the devil and can be treated with prayers, whereas my doctor thinks I have combined ADHD/Autism - I mention this only to shortcut you to the answer; "It's complicated". I'm not about to go further into it in a KZbin comments section with a stranger - thank you though, I appreciate you're just trying to help me to examine things properly.

[@tonegoober]

I'm sorry, but the "unnecessary friction" comment feels profoundly ironic - it suggests a hell of a lot about your family dynamic. Having ADHD and coming from a repressed, religious family myself, I know what it feels like. Obviously I don't know the details of your situation, but to me it sounds like your family has successfully made you feel guilty for raising real and serious issues that make them uncomfortable.

[@adhd_coach_katherine]

🧡 thank you so much. I was horrified to see him diagnose someone on TV 😢

[@debrafaithwarshaw9729]

Giving people hope and the expectation that they can *cure* their ADHD is also why he is worse than wrong. Thank you for continuing to do the work you do!

[@robynhope219]

ADHD can certainly be mitigated, not cured.

[@Smurfageful]

​@@robynhope219honestly because kids can outgrow it I think it could be possible to cure it or at least improve

[@robynhope219]

@@Smurfageful not all kids outgrow it..:some are stuck with it for life🙁

[@JesseDanielSmith]

Man - what an eye opener. Gabor was one of the reasons I’ve tried tackling ADHD with pure behaviour therapy, it’s taken me until 35 to try to increase my quality of life through non-stimulant medication. Thank you for these videos 🙏

[@jon123xyz]

I have seen parents that belive they are holy by refusing to medicate their kids. I have ADHD and so do several members of my family. I could weep for those unmedicated kids - it breaks my heart. Glad to hear you are on the right track.

[@FallingAsh]

Thank you for posting this rebuttal backed by evidence and calling out the misogyny and intellectual laziness of Gabor Mate. He really should be censured by the Canadian Medical board. It’s equivalent to spreading Covid or other public health misinformation.

[@TheLivingVision11]

I read Scattered minds when my son was very very young. And, yes, I thought it must be true. I had a very stressful pregnancy, was in a dysfunctional marriage, and was sure it must be all of the stress that caused the ADHD. Even though I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in elementary school as well, and now realize that it is my own ADHD, that contributed to the stressful life and the dysfunctional marriage. I’ve learned so much from you, Dr. Barkley! I’m so grateful for your work. I do wonder, how do these genetic changes start in the first place? Does anyone know how the genes start to change and take on these traits? I wonder, if it could have been some extreme traumatic events, like the depression, or the holocaust, or an extreme abuse cycle or earlier generations of war and famine? Could something like that have impacted the genes of a person or people, who then went on to procreate and pass the mutated gene down? I really don’t know? Just curious if anyone has information on how that happens?

[@cillinodonnell8729]

Yes I believe it is called epigenetics.

[@Bertie_Ahern]

That book was truly execrable lol. I reviewed it as such on Amazon I think, but the critique wasn't overly well received.

[@NelaDunato]

Dr. Barkley actually did a video about the genetic origin. In addition to being inherited, it also arises from spontaneous genetic mutations in gametes (eggs and sperm cells). Spontaneous means there is no reason, it's a copy error because the cell division process is not perfect. And these mutations are getting more frequent than decades ago, because parents are reproducing at an older age. Mutations have always been a part of our evolution, it's a biological fact of life.

[@TheLivingVision11]

@@NelaDunato thank you for that explanation. I really appreciate it. I’ll go search for the video he made on the topic.

[@robynhope219]

Absolutely...passed down epigenetically. Pls read It Didn't Start With You, Mark Wolynn.

[@uidentity]

Thank you Russell! Mate is not much opposed because of his celebrity status. And giving him rebuttal referencing research is exactly what's needed!

[@eugkra33]

Pretty sure Mate has already read all this research already.

[@robynhope219]

Why does he have celebrity status? His looks, or what? He is trying so hard to outdo Bessel...kinda funny.

[@terrym2442]

@Ok_roman Matè's work began long before he became a "celebrity." Scattered Minds was published in 1999, I believe.

[@robynhope219]

@@terrym2442 so, what's ur point?

[@robynhope219]

He has many detractors...search!

[@nirolama1183]

Thank you very much Dr. Barkely for your huge contributions and insightful work you do on this topic. I personally found your work to be crucial to my undergraduate thesis on ADHD related topic. However, I wanted to point out that it's very true that your response accurately refuted Dr. Mate's point here and what he often talks about in various podcasts and shows. However I actually did read some parts of his book "the Scattered Mind" and it actually seems more nuanced than what he says on various shows. As we all know, majority of the audience on podcasts and such shows may not want to hear very detailed scientific information about ADHD and may only want to hear easily digestible information that may actually seem to be inaccurate as you rightfully pointed out. I would also say that Dr. Mate has also quoted you in his book the Scattered Mind. Here are few paragraphs from his book. "There is a significant hereditary contribution to ADD-sensitivity, but I do not believe any genetic factor is decisive in the emergence of ADD traits in any child. Genes are codes for the synthesis of the proteins that give a particular cell its characteristic structure and function. They are, as it were, alive and dynamic architectural and mechanical plans. Whether the plan becomes realized depends on far more than the gene itself. It is determined, for the most part, by the environment. To put it differently, genes carry potentials inherent in the cells of a given organism. Which of multiple potentials become expressed biologically is a question of life circumstances. Medical conditions for which genetic inheritance are fully or even mostly responsible, such as muscular dystrophy, are rare. "Few diseases are purely genetic," says Michael Hayden, a geneticist at the University of British Colombia. Genes can be activated or turned off by factors in the environment. In the Cree population of northwestern Ontario, for example, diabetes is found at a rate five times the Canadian national average, despite the traditionally low incidence of diabetes among native peoples. The genetic makeup of the Cree people cannot have changed in a few generations. The destruction of the Crees' traditional physically active ways of life, the substitution of high- calorie diets for their previous low-fat, low-carbohydrate eating patterns and greatly increased stress levels are responsible for the alarming rise in diabetes rates. Although heredity is involved in diabetes, it cannot possibly account for the pandemic among Canada's native peoples, or among the rest of the North American population, for that matter. We will see that in similar ways changes in society are causing more and more children to be affected by attention deficit disorder." He continues.. "It is easy to jump to hasty conclusions about genetic information. Some studies have identified certain genes, for example, that are said to be more common among people with attention deficit disorder or with other related conditions, such as depression, alcoholism or addiction. But even if the existence of these genes is proven, there is no reason to suppose that they can, on their own, induce the development of ADD or any other disorder. First, not everyone with these genes will have the disorders. Second, not everyone with the disorders will be shown to carry the genes. Studies do show that if parents or siblings have ADD, a child in that family will have a greatly increased statistical risk for having ADD as well. ADD is also found more commonly in people whose first-degree relatives are alcoholics or suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, obsessivecompulsive disorder or Tourette’s syndrome. It may appear from such facts that this motley collection of related syndromes is largely hereditary-but to assume that would be like believing that if there are three generations of butchers or bakers or candlestick makers in a family, then meat cutting, baking and candle manufacturing must also be genetic. The family atmosphere in which the child spends the early formative years has a major impact on brain development. It is obvious that brain/mind problems such as ADD are far more likely to develop in families where the parents are struggling with dysfunction or psychological problems of their own. It would be astonishing if children growing up in such unsettled environments did not develop some of the same problems. No genes need be involved at all for these conditions to run in families." Now he makes his point more clearly.. In another chapter. "sensitivity is from the Latin word sensir, "to feel." Degrees of sensitivity reflect degrees of feeling. Of the various Oxford Dictionary definitions of sensitive, it will be useful to keep three in mind. Each is exquisitely apt as a description of the ADD child: 1. Very open to or acutely affected by external stimuli or mental impressions. 2. Easily offended, or emotionally hurt. 3. (As of an instrument) responsive to or recording small changes". "Some human beings are hyperreactive. A relatively negligible stimulus, or what to other people would seem negligible, sets off in them an intense reaction. When this happens in response to physical stimuli, we say the person is allergic. Someone allergic to, say, bee venom may choke, wheeze and gasp for air when stung. The small airways in the lungs may go into spasm, tissues in the throat may swell, the heartbeat may become irregular. His life may be in peril. The nonallergic person, had she been stung by the same bee, would experience no more than a momentary pain, a welt, an irritating itch Was it the bee sting that sent the first victim into physiological crisis? Not directly. It was his own physiological responses that brought him close to death. More accurately, it was the combination of stimulus and reaction. The precise medical term for an allergy, for this hyperreactivity, is hypersensitivity". "People with ADD are hypersensitive. That is not a fault or a weakness of theirs, it is how they were born. It is their inborn temperament. That, primarily, is what is hereditary about ADD. Genetic inheritance by itself cannot account for the presence of ADD features in people, but heredity can make it far more likely that these features will emerge in a given individual, depending on circumstances. It is sensitivity, not a disorder, that is transmitted through heredity. In most cases, ADD is caused by the impact of the environment on particularly sensitive infants. Sensitivity is the reason why allergies are more common among ADD children than in the rest of the population. It is well known, and borne out again and again in clinical practice, that children with ADD are more likely than their non-ADD counterparts to have a history of frequent colds, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, asthma, eczema and allergies, a fact interpreted by some as evidence that ADD is due to allergies. Although the flare-up of allergies can certainly aggravate ADD symptoms, the one does not cause the other. They both are expressions of the same underlying inborn trait: sensitivity. Since emotionally hypersensitive reactions are no less physiological than the body's allergic responses to physical substances, we may say truthfully that people with ADD have emotional allergies." Thank you again Dr. Barkely! Have a great day!

[@SpennoDJ]

I'm currently in and out of crisis and getting professional help from crisis & substance teams, psychiatry and psychology. I was diagnosed with unspecified BP and MDD about a year ago after suffering with major dysfunction for as long as I can remember (16 years-ish). Now they are investigating for ADHD and its starting to give me massive confidence and hope as I research further. I downloaded Gabor's audiobook, but there's just something about the idea that the trauma is what drives the condition that doesn't feel right with me. I have been repeatedly told throughout my life that my actions and behaviour are due to parental influence and traumatic family experiences whilst young, and while these things did happen and were extreme, if I turn out to actually have ADHD, this information will help not just me but my whole family heal. This video has enlightened me. Thanks for your time.

[@weaviejeebies]

I'm so grateful that you take the time to address popular misinformation. People I know send me videos and articles all the time trying to prove to me that I continue to demonstrate ADHD because I don't understand my disorder, or the doctors have been treating me wrongly all this time. Recently I did get a spate of friends and family eager to share Dr. Mate's interview with Joe Rogan. All I have to refute these 'helpful' suggestions is my own lived experience. I lived with severe abuse and neglect at home from birth onwards. I'm nearly 50 now and in that time my (now incarcerated) father has been diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, comorbid Bipolar 1 and surprise, surprise, ADHD. While I did certainly suffer from just really bad parenting, the very worst incidents of abuse tended to occur *after* the signs of ADHD became clear and I didn't meet normal milestones for organization and conscientiousness. Then there was the bullying I experienced at school. Both teachers and peers found me to be too different to tolerate and after trying to role model or correct through usual means, they turned hostile because I just didn't learn and wasn't able to give them the kinds of normal behavior they wanted to see. It's not as if they spontaneously attacked and then my skills began to suffer. I try to explain this to well-intentioned people who have not accepted that there is no cure for me. They dismiss me because they think ADHD is a defecit of intelligence and insight along with a weakness of character, so it's with such great, juicy satisfaction that I'm forwarding your expert, evidence-based confirmation of everything I've been saying to everyone that has been spamming me lately with more 'proof' that I don't need that nasty Adderall. Please continue to do us this wonderful service. Thank you.

[@AntoniatheUniverse]

You are a hero! Thank you for saying what needed to be said!

[@jonistidham4278]

Ugh thank you for this. I’ve seen him pop up on a few channels I follow. I watched about 5 minutes of an interview he did and had to shut it off.

[@andyjohnson5875]

Fascinating discussion. I have read Scattered Minds, and the book strongly resonated with my personal ADHD life experience. I agree however that causality and genetics requires epidemiology as a basis for conclusions. Most of all, I appreciate that in science, doctors are free to promote even unproven theories that may intuitively arise from first hand clinical experience. a means to shake up established assumptions and beliefs. This free exchange of ideas generates opportunities for further scientific research. I appreciate both popular authors for their unique contributions to this fascinating discussion and improved future scientific understandings. Ultimately I think the rapidly advancing field of biochemistry will resolve a great deal. I look forward to a future blood test for ADHD as an example, since this will further verify the genetic pathways of ADHD.

[@joanneanderson4091]

I too resonate with Gabor’s research and experience as an ACE’er and ADHD’er and find huge relief and hope in the healing explorations that have opened up for me as a result. I take medication and find relief in it too. No reason why they can’t complement eachother which is why I think a rebuttal is unnecessary. Seeking to understand and integrate new knowledge and practice is far more beneficial.

[@deandub]

I'm glad you are addressing this. I've seen videos of him discussing ADHD on different shows etc and I was taken aback by his thoughts on ADHD.

[@dianemakes]

Thank you so much for clearing this up. When I listen to or read Dr. Mate's work, I feel bad about my myself. When I listen to you, Dr. Barkley, I am directed to the proper resources for help and that gives me so much hope for a better future for the remainder of my life. Thank you from Canada. Diane

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

And thank you. There is quite a cult of followers of his out there that refuse to let the scientific findings guide our way here and instead see trauma everywhere, across generations, and leading to many disorders. Be well. Russ

[@dianemakes]

@@russellbarkleyphd2023 Thank you. I started listening to your Audio book Taking Charge of Adult ADHD this week and purchased the actual book today so I can closely read the 91 questions. I am learning a lot. I teach 5th grade and I at times do not know how to help students with ADHD. What I have already learned from your book is that the child truly is in need of help. Now my challenge is learning what that help looks like and how to deliver the appropriate help needed. I am willing to learn. Thank you. Diane

[@FayeLawrenceCoaching]

I'm so glad you covered this topic, thank you Dr Barkley. I have often thought that the trauma is actually caused (inadvertantly) by parents who are chaotic or experiencing addiction or mental health issues because of their own neurodiversity, and they are often not well attuned to the child. And then of course there's the lifelong 'not fitting in', 'feeling like a failure', 'not understanding why everything is so flipping hard' because of the demands to fit a neurotypical world that our brain wiring is not well equipped for. I particularly resonated with the analogy between autism and cold mothering etc. I'd never thought of it that way, and I vaguely remember that one doing the rounds many years ago. I enjoy much of Mate's work, particularly in addiction, but this theory never sat well with me at all. Thank you for debunking this so thoroughly. As an ADHD coach surrounded by friends and family who are also ADHD, I'll be sharing this with many people!

[@MeganDNKU]

THANK YOU, Dr. B. Your thorough, scientific research and ongoing commitment to clearly communicated information on ADHD and debunking unsupported, speculative theories is greatly appreciated.

[@ChavezDIY]

Thank you for making this video! I'm an LCSW and I was concerned when one of my colleagues sent me Dr. Mate's ridiculous video. I was triggered, I'm not going to lie. I was really disappointed that Dr. Mate was spreading his wrong information. Joe Rogan added fuel to this spread of misinformation, haha.

[@lilaworley8935]

We should all be questioning the legitimacy of ANY person that shows up on Joe Rogans show. 😂

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

It's such an easy sell, isn't it..... compelling narratives and stories and acting like it's all about the compassion..... so much easier than people without science backgrounds trying to understand the complexity of ADHD science.

[@mardi7346]

I also need to add that I love the episodes where you get worked up about nonsense bubbles floating around everywhere. It cracks me up!! And your dad jokes are just as cool! Thank you for what you do

[@laurengoldsings]

This has made me see my childhood in a whole new light. And helped me to reflect on my parenting. I came to these videos because of my son that has adhd and am on the journey to realising that I probably have it , as does my father. It explains so much. That you for explaining everything so clearly .

[@RoSa-kr8hy]

I would love to see you do a video on skepticism surrounding the very existence/legitimacy of ADHD altogether.

[@babybaby5893]

Dr Barkley You are so right, my son who might have ADHD is the happiest boy and he is deeply loved and cared by my hubby and me who are strong believer of attachment parenting. In our household we don’t use electronics at scholars days and very limited time at weekends （no electronics before the age of 3,5 yo.)we spend 3 hours at least everyday to play, read, chat and connect with our only child before and after school, now he is in 1st grade, we are a super close and happy family with special bonding but our son still shows traits of being restless and hyperactive. Our son everyday says I love mommy and daddy very very much, Dr Barkley thank you so much for this video which tells the truth!

[@walyduj]

Do you or your husband have ADHD, may I ask?

[@Kira-im3hw]

Dr Barkley, you are is a treasure for ADHD community, thank you so much for all your efforts and work, it is priceless. You are saving lives!

[@ME0423]

I was diagnosed 22 years ago with ADHD. Medication and life style changes made the world of difference. Dr. Mate's book "Scattered" explains the content -scattered. Yet, I do validate his work on addiction.

[@tamucommerceart]

Thank you for advocating for those of us with adhd. Your meticulous research, knowledge sharing, and unwavering dedication to the truth serves as a lighthouse in the fog. Misinformation made popular through celebrity is hurtful, dangerous…worse than wrong. Again, thank you.

[@gabriellawaldi]

Thank you Dr. Barkley for explaining ADHD and for advocating for us! ❤

[@mjeff5050]

Gabor says that parents can pass down their adverse trauma to their children but not through their genetics?

[@ninjakitty4228]

Unless having caring parents when I was young, somehow counts as trauma, I call BS on Mate's conclusion. My daughter was raised using positive, proactive, gentle parenting, and she has ADHD as well. There's no trauma in my child's life. I did have trauma, significant trauma, but it was years after being diagnosed with ADHD. As a result of my childhood trauma, I took caution to ensure my daughter would not suffer the same fate as I did. Trauma may be a factor in creating the proper environment for some children to develop ADHD symptoms, but it's certainly not the cause for all of us.

[@MomoSimone22]

Thank you! This illustrates it perfectly!

[@maxxtheautumn]

According to Dr. Mate, if you as a parent have a high level of stress (and you probably had if you had ADHD yourself), it may affect your young child and cause neurodevelopmental disorder manifesting as ADHD.

[@williamcartedge5583]

Trauma isn't always what you think it is

[@TijmenHatesads]

I think on a slightly deeper level you agree more than it looks like. Lactose intolerance is genetically determined, but experiencing lactose intolerance is fully determined by the amount of lactose in your diet. A dietician would go into the mechanism of how lactose increasingly triggers triggers adverse effects while a geneticist would be looking at how and when lactase is made. Then you have people getting a learned response to dairy and you get a whole statistical mess influencing everything up and down.

[@SozzR]

Littery directly came form the Joe Rogan episode. I just want to say thanks for your information.

[@etichall]

Thank you. I’ve felt that for YEARS

[@djmagicmango]

People get so emotionally dysregulated about ADHD 😅.

[@Donnah1979]

😅😅

[@Undoing88]

I think Dr. Mate has some insightful takes on certain things, but I was crushed when I heard his clearly-incorrect opinion on ADHD. More so is the confidence with which he speaks these inaccuracies. It even got me doubting myself despite knowing he was wrong. And that's perhaps the most damning thing of all. The last thing we need is more self-doubt 😢

[@RescueNurse]

This!

[@kathrynturnbull990]

agreed. One of my main gripes with Mate is his inability to stay in a lane where he has a good grasp of what is going on.

[@robynhope219]

He speaks with confidence bc he has a HUGE EGO.

[@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster]

He's excellent at story-telling. That's for sure. But it's a lot easier to spin stories when one isn't encumbered with scientific accuracy.

[@robynhope219]

@@GinaPeraADHDRollerCoaster that’s why made the switch to Bessel van der Kolk.

[@endigosun]

I am SO GLAD someone finally critiqued him. 🙏🏽 He is often wrong and needs to be corrected. He has a lot of shadow work he needs to do on himself. He literally wears the word TRAUMA out, and continues to hurt the public by delving out WRONG information… very similar to Dr. Spock, who came to prominence way back in 1946, and helped to slowly destroy many future generations of children.

[@mikeflair6800]

I agree with Mate on childhood trauma. I went through the exact same thing he did. I understand him.

[@endigosun]

@@mikeflair6800 It’s easy to see how his experiences have colored his viewpoint and how he projects his personal issues onto others. The guy in the video read off multiple research articles debunking Mate’s claims - and there will still be people who won’t get the memo.

[@Santilasso318]

Thank you for the informative video. Four questions: 1. have you really read Scattered Minds? It doesn't seem so (e.g: you said that Maté doesn't define what he understands by trauma, when in fact he clearly does, etc) .2. Have you bothered to identify, read and understand the studies that support Maté's point of view? 3. Did you know that most of the studies you used to support your argument were funded (directly or indirectly) by Pharmaceutic companies?? 4. Do you think my last question has anything to do with ADHD medication production and consumption?

[@justbeegreen]

Can somebody start doing more sincere research on women with adhd and perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms? I’m so tired of healthcare being so behind in this vital research. There are so many late diagnosed women who also suffer again in later chapters in life because of the lack of research on women and ADHD and hormones!

[@yvonnelebens1324]

There ar posts on youtube now abbout this sublject, just saw that yesterday, I know waht you mean!!!

[@patriciajump9511]

Thank you for refuting these self-appointed false experts who make their living using their bizarre non-scientific claims. It is indispensible that a credible expert refute these unscientific claims. There are also other practitioners like them in psychiatry, who are not famous, who nevertheless hold unscientific views and inflict them on their patients. This video helps all of us nameless patients who are trying to deal with or recover from unkind psychiatrists invalidating our reality.

[@mrooz9065]

Well said.

[@hugglesnz]

Thank you so much for your open honesty. As a daughter and mother in an ADHD family, it's refreshing to have Dr Mate refuted with proof. I always had a sense of unease around his words. ADHD is hard enough to live with, even without the guilt

[@sanamsi]

Have you read the book? Because these are false accusations. Dr. Mate book changed my life and perspective. I’m extremely disappointed to see Dr. Barkley is the person who is spreading and defaming someone. DR. Mate does not claim it’s the parents fault or it is not a genetic condition. Dr. Barkley is the o e who is speaking absolute nonsense here by having a superficial search and shallow understanding of someone else’s work.

[@ronpitcher138]

We need to get the good Dr. Barkley on the Joe Rogan podcast!! Also just want to say I love this content Dr. Barley. I was diagnosed as a child, never medicated, barely made it through life alive and began medication at 35 yrs of age. It's difficult to imagine how much further ahead in life I would be had I started medication at a younger age. Luckily I lived long enough to fully develop the prefrontal cortex and start a career in graphic design. Without medication I probably could not handle this job and take care of my family.

[@Plasmafox]

Barkley can't help him, Rogan needs an AODA specialist and palliative care for his CTE

[@ronpitcher138]

@@Plasmafox LOL I meant to get Dr. Barkley's information out there to more people. 🤣

[@Downgrader]

Thank you for addressing this issue. I frequently have to challenge people who cite Dr Mate in general conversation about ADHD.