Is ADHD a Disability? (Hunter Gatherer Theory)
Summary
TLDRThis video script explores the theory that ADHD may not be a disorder but an evolutionary trait inherited from our hunter-gatherer ancestors. It discusses how traits beneficial for survival in ancient times, such as constant environmental awareness, the ability to hyperfocus, rapid decision-making, and risk-taking, are now often misunderstood in modern society. The script challenges the conventional view of ADHD as a learning disability and suggests that it might be a misfit in a world designed for 'farmers' rather than 'hunters'.
Takeaways
- 😀 ADHD is often perceived as a learning disability due to its association with inattentiveness and hyperactivity in children.
- 🎓 The script suggests that success in life is often tied to academic achievements, which can be challenging for individuals with ADHD.
- 🧠 The speaker posits that ADHD might be a result of evolutionary traits inherited from our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
- 🔍 The script mentions that early theories about ADHD being caused by drinking during pregnancy were debunked.
- 🏞️ It is suggested that the traits associated with ADHD, such as hyperfocus and quick decision-making, were advantageous in ancient hunting societies.
- 🦁 The ability to recognize subtle environmental cues and react quickly to potential threats was crucial for survival in the past.
- 🎯 The script highlights that individuals with ADHD can hyperfocus on tasks that interest them, similar to the intense focus required for hunting.
- 🚀 People with ADHD are described as being able to make fast, impulsive decisions, which would have been beneficial in a hunter's quick-changing environment.
- 👀 The preference for visual learning and thinking, as opposed to abstract theories, is linked to the practical needs of hunters.
- 💥 The script describes an 'explosive energy' in individuals with ADHD, which could have been useful for sudden bursts of activity in hunting scenarios.
- 🏠 The dislike for routine tasks and chores is compared to the hunter's preference for the excitement of the hunt over mundane activities.
- 🤔 The script explores the idea that the traits of ADHD are not a disorder but rather a different way of functioning that was once essential for survival.
- 🧐 It concludes by suggesting that the modern world, built more for 'farmers,' may not fully accommodate the 'hunter' traits of ADHD, leading to misunderstandings.
Q & A
Why is ADHD often labeled as a learning disability in modern times?
-ADHD is often labeled as a learning disability because individuals with ADHD may struggle to focus and listen, which are perceived as necessary for acquiring learning essentials in a traditional educational setting.
What is the traditional view of a learning disability in relation to success in life?
-The traditional view is that a learning disability is synonymous with not being able to be successful in life, as it is believed that a good job requires a degree showcasing one's abilities, which a person with ADHD might find challenging to obtain.
Why is ADHD considered to have an evolutionary origin?
-ADHD is considered to have an evolutionary origin because it may be linked to the traits of our ancestors who were hunters and gatherers, requiring constant environmental awareness, focus, quick decision-making, and visual thinking for survival.
What was the early 20th-century theory about the cause of ADHD, and was it debunked?
-In the early 20th century, ADHD was thought to be a byproduct of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but this theory was later debunked as studies found that parents of children with ADHD often have ADHD themselves.
What is the estimated prevalence of ADHD worldwide?
-The estimated prevalence of ADHD worldwide ranges from about 3.4% to 5%, suggesting that millions of people globally may have ADHD.
According to Thom Hartmann, which ancestral role did humans with ADHD inherit genetics from?
-According to Thom Hartmann, humans with ADHD have inherited genetics from their hunter and gatherer ancestors.
Why were hunters' brains adapted to recognize every little environmental change?
-Hunters' brains were adapted to recognize every little environmental change to quickly respond to potential threats like a bear or lion, which could have meant life or death for the hunter.
How does the ability of hunters to hyperfocus for hours on their hunt relate to ADHD?
-The ability of hunters to hyperfocus for hours on their hunt relates to ADHD because individuals with ADHD can also hyperfocus on tasks that spark their interest for extended periods.
Why were hunters required to make fast decisions and how does this relate to people with ADHD?
-Hunters were required to make fast decisions to ensure their survival during hunts and when facing threats like attacks from wild animals. This relates to people with ADHD, who are known for making impulsive decisions without overthinking long-term implications.
How does the visual learning style of hunters compare to learning methods preferred by people with ADHD?
-The visual learning style of hunters, where they needed to see how something is done to learn effectively, compares to people with ADHD who often prefer learning through visual aids and demonstrations rather than abstract theories or equations.
Why might people with ADHD be more prone to taking risks compared to others?
-People with ADHD might be more prone to taking risks because, like their hunter ancestors, they are naturally inclined to take on challenges that others might avoid, which could have been essential for survival in ancient times.
What is the modern societal view of hunters in comparison to farmers, and how does this relate to ADHD?
-In modern society, which is largely constructed for 'farmers' or individuals who follow routines and structures, 'hunters' or those with ADHD are often misunderstood and seen as having a disorder because they do not fit the status quo and behave 'disorderly' in comparison to the majority.
Outlines
🤔 The Misconception of ADHD as a Learning Disability
This paragraph addresses the common misconception that ADHD is a learning disability, often due to the assumption that individuals with ADHD cannot learn as effectively as their peers. It discusses the societal pressure to succeed through formal education and the unique brain functions of those with ADHD. The script delves into the evolutionary origins of ADHD, suggesting that it may be a result of our ancestors' hunting and gathering behaviors. It also refutes early theories about ADHD being a result of drinking during pregnancy and highlights the wide prevalence of ADHD, affecting an estimated 340 to 500 million people worldwide. The paragraph concludes by questioning the very definition of a disorder and hints at the possibility of ADHD being an evolutionary trait rather than a disorder.
🏹 The Evolutionary Advantages of ADHD Traits
The second paragraph explores the theory that ADHD traits may have been advantageous in our ancestors who were hunters and gatherers. It outlines several reasons why these traits would have been beneficial, such as the ability to recognize subtle environmental cues, maintain focus for extended periods during hunts, make quick decisions, think visually, and possess explosive energy. It also touches on the tendency of hunters to get bored easily with routine tasks and their propensity for risk-taking and self-criticism. The paragraph concludes by discussing how the modern world, which is more suited to 'farmers' or individuals who can adhere to structured routines, often misunderstands and mislabels 'hunters' or those with ADHD as having a disorder, despite their potential for success in different contexts.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡ADHD
💡Learning Disability
💡Evolutionary
💡Hyperfocus
💡Impulsivity
💡Behavioral Therapy
💡Counseling
💡Disorder
💡Hunters and Gatherers
💡Risk-Takers
💡Misunderstood
Highlights
ADHD is often labeled as a learning disability due to misconceptions about its impact on learning capabilities.
The societal view of learning disabilities is tied to success in life and obtaining a degree, which may not fully apply to individuals with ADHD.
ADHD is a condition where the brain functions differently, not necessarily less effectively, compared to those without it.
The prevalence of ADHD is high, with estimates ranging from 340 to 500 million people worldwide.
ADHD may have evolutionary roots, with traits inherited from ancient hunter-gatherer ancestors.
Hunters had to be constantly alert to their surroundings, which could explain the distractibility seen in ADHD today.
The ability to hyperfocus on tasks of interest is a trait that may have been beneficial for hunters and is now observed in ADHD.
Hunters needed to make quick decisions, a trait that aligns with the impulsivity often associated with ADHD.
Visual thinking was crucial for hunters, which may relate to the preference for visual learning in individuals with ADHD.
ADHD individuals often have high energy that can be channeled into activities they are passionate about, similar to the energy hunters needed for their hunts.
Hunters were prone to boredom with routine tasks, a trait that is mirrored in the aversion to non-stimulating activities by those with ADHD.
ADHD individuals are often risk-takers, which may be a reflection of the hunter's need to take risks for survival.
The self-criticism and impatience seen in ADHD could be traced back to the hunter's need for quick decision-making and survival instincts.
The modern world, constructed for 'farmers,' may not fully accommodate the traits of 'hunters' with ADHD, leading to misunderstandings.
The theory suggests that genetic traits that were advantageous in ancient times may be perceived as disorders in today's society.
The discrepancy in the diagnosis of ADHD between men and women could be related to historical gender roles in hunting and gathering societies.
The video encourages viewers to consider alternative perspectives on ADHD and its potential evolutionary benefits.
An affiliate link to Tom Hartman's book is provided for further exploration of the theory presented in the video.
Transcripts
in today's day and age ADHD is often
labeled as a learning disability because
that one kid who keeps talking whilst he
should be listening surely can't be
picking up a learning essentials the
same way as its normal peers right in
today's day and age a learning
disability is most of the time
synonymous with not being able to be
successful in life since in order to get
a good job you need a degree which
showcases your abilities a person with
ADHD simply has a completely different
brain with different functions than a
person without ADHD but why where did
ADHD actually come from and is it really
a disorder perhaps no disorder is more
prevalent and misdiagnosed today an
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
or ADHD children with ADHD are a little
bit different the origin of the
condition might be evolutionary yes she
was very fidgety couldn't sit still
we've lived in hunting-gathering worlds
and we've lived in agricultural worlds
there may be a whole range of things
that we can do to manage ADHD it may be
behavioral therapy counseling may be
recommended welcome to our team looks
good
presenting ADHD by ADHD if it's your
first time here and you're someone with
ADHD why don't you consider subscribing
if you're not sure you have ADHD check
out my video on how to identify it back
to the point attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder that's what ADHD
stands for if you didn't know it but
what exactly is a disorder anyway
according to the definition a disorder
is generally speaking a disruption of
the systemic functioning of something in
other words scholars believe that our
brain is not functioning the way it's
supposed to
in the early 20th century ADHD was
thought to be a byproduct of drinking
when pregnant a theory that was soon
debunked luckily since the parents of
the child with ADHD were found to most
frequently also have ADHD but if ADHD is
really a sickness or disorder it's
pretty widespread seeing his estimates
range from about 340 to 500 million
people in the world having ADHD this is
ADHD so widespread where did it come
from
well according to Thom Hartmann humans
with ADHD have inherited the genetics
from their ancestors the hunters and
gatherers let's go back a few ten
thousand years back then we were a
handful of humans living on this big
blue planet there's different estimates
suggesting that we were only a few
million souls these few million souls
were scattered all across the world in
small groups generally known as hunters
and farmers now before I start if you
please be sure you're able to handle the
truth now why are we the people with
ADHD hunters well for one hunters had to
be in constant control of their
environments and something like a bear
or a lion could dart out of a bush
within milliseconds trying to make the
hunter its dinner
and turn the hunters brain learned to
recognize every little twig snap or leaf
movement come with me if you want to
live this is the reason for people with
ADHD suffering under constant
distractions a few thousand years ago
those distractions could have saved our
lives whereas now they have outgrown
their time reason number two hunters
were able to focus on their hunt for
hours I have come here to chew bubblegum
and kick ass
and I'm all out of bubble in order to
provide for the whole camp Hunter's had
to invest a lot of time into their hunt
which required lots of long focus
especially in seasons like the winter
where there wasn't much food to be found
this correlates with the fact that
people with ADHD are able to hyper focus
on things that spark our interest for
hours reason number three hunters had to
be able to make very fast decisions
since the hunt required the sathan
hunters had to be flexible and quickly
switch up their strategy when for
instance coming under attack from a bear
where most people would just freeze up
the hunters brain was able to make
lightning-fast decisions ensuring his
survival people with ADHD are notorious
for having this ability we make lots of
unguided impulsive decisions not
overthinking the long-term implications
like ordering a pizza or saying stupid
[ __ ] that doesn't sound as funny out
loud as it did in our heads yeah I'm not
sure that's not a good in his head
reason number four hunters had to think
visually to be successful in their hunt
big equations or abstract theories
didn't help them in order to learn they
had to see how something is done I can
definitely relate to this since instead
of going through my textbook for the
third time to study for an exam I
usually started watching YouTube videos
about that topic I was always better in
learning things visually this is one of
the reasons for starting this YouTube
channel reason number five hunters are
able to invest a lot of energy into
their hunt people with ADHD often have
an explosive energy which they can
release in a moment's notice that's my
secret
I'm always angry reason number six
hunters loved the hunt but got bored
easily when it came to doing chores like
cleaning the house again this is so
relatable for people with ADHD since we
hate doing things that don't spark our
interest I now confer show me reason
number seven Hunter's took on risks that
farmers didn't want to take on people
with ADHD are notorious for being risk
takers we do things that others can't or
don't want to do and lastly hunters are
hard on themselves and on people in
their environment since the hunters own
life depended on fast decision making
the level for frustration and patience
was very low if a hunter doesn't manage
to dodge a bullet for instance it could
mean as death people with ADHD are also
often very hard on themselves and on
people often leading to depressive
thoughts thinking of they're a bad
person this amongst other things is a
reason for why people with ADHD are
often misunderstood just because we're
hard on people doesn't mean we mean them
anything bad 10,000 years ago we might
have saved their lives to conclude
because the ancient world required more
farmers than hunters hunters are now
living in a world mostly constructed for
farmers this is why they're often
misunderstood as to not being viable in
today's society because we don't fit the
status quo being a hunter is classified
as to having a disorder because we
behave disorderly in comparison to the
majority of the normal population you
want to be a farmer here's a couple of
acres now if you've never heard of this
theory just look at other examples for
when humans developed genetic
deformities that actually helped them
this theory would also explain the
discrepancy of the amount of men versus
the amount of women diagnosed with
having ADHD since back then most women
didn't go hunting
anyway if this theory isn't true it
might be a tumor it's not a tumor thank
you so much for watching if I managed to
open your eyes leave me like to show me
how many of you are managed to reach
today if you want to know more about
this theory
I will leave an affiliate Amazon link to
the book of Tom Hartman in the
description below also check out my ADHD
motivation video featuring Will Smith
and don't forget to subscribe and click
on the notification belt
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