ADHD sucks, but not really | Salif Mahamane | TEDxUSU

Summary

This transcript discusses ADHD, highlighting common misconceptions and the struggles individuals face. The speaker, who has ADHD and a PhD in cognitive psychology, explains the condition's prevalence, potential evolutionary advantages, and how natural environments can aid focus. They emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting those with ADHD, suggesting society's rigid norms contribute to the associated distress. The speaker encourages nurturing ADHD traits and concludes with a personal tactic for maintaining self-love and resilience in the face of misunderstanding and frustration.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker is working on a PhD in experimental cognitive psychology and has ADHD, highlighting the irony of studying thinking while having a condition that affects focus.
• 🔢 Statistics show that in 2011, 11% of children and 4% of adults in the U.S. were diagnosed with ADHD, indicating its prevalence across different age groups.
• 🌳 The speaker suggests that natural environments may help restore focus due to their ability to attract involuntary attention, which is overactive in individuals with ADHD.
• 🏞️ A genetic variant implicated in ADHD traits was found to be beneficial for a nomadic group in Kenya, suggesting that what is considered a disorder today may have been an advantage in the past.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the pathologization of ADHD, pondering if it should be seen as a disorder or an adaptive trait that is out of place in modern society.
• 💡 ADHD individuals can be highly creative and good at brainstorming, as their minds are rarely quiet and can generate numerous ideas, even if some are not fully formed.
• 🌟 The speaker is comfortable venturing outside their comfort zone, driven by curiosity and the desire to explore new ideas and cultures.
• 💪 Resilience is a key trait of ADHD individuals, who can bounce back quickly from setbacks and adapt to new situations with creativity.
• 🔄 The speaker acknowledges the challenges of inattention but also the ability to embrace and manage it, becoming adept at damage control and problem-solving.
• 🔥 Passion in ADHD individuals is authentic and intense, as they cannot feign interest and are naturally drawn to what truly captivates them.
• 🤝 The speaker calls for societal understanding and support for those with ADHD, encouraging nurturing of their abilities rather than punishment for their shortcomings.
• 💔 High rates of self-harm and suicide among individuals with ADHD highlight the importance of self-love and societal acceptance to combat these issues.

Q & A

What is the speaker's educational background according to the script?

The speaker is finishing a PhD in experimental cognitive psychology, which is the scientific study of thinking.

What is the speaker's personal condition mentioned in the script?

The speaker has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), specifically the predominantly inattentive type.

What percentage of children and adults were reported by the CDC in 2011 to have been diagnosed with ADHD?

In 2011, the CDC reported that 11% of children ages 4 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD, which is about 6.4 million kids. Additionally, 4% of adults had been diagnosed, amounting to 9.8 million people.

What is the role of involuntary attention in people with ADHD?

Involuntary attention is heightened in people with ADHD, making them easily distracted by sudden movements, noises, bright colors, or any anomaly in their environment. This type of attention is reflexive and can disrupt voluntary attention needed for focus.

How does the speaker suggest natural environments can benefit individuals with ADHD?

Natural environments can restore or even improve the ability to sustain focus because they provide a break from the constant engagement of involuntary attention, allowing voluntary attention to be more effective.

What evolutionary advantage might the traits of ADHD have provided?

The traits of ADHD might have been adaptive during human evolution, aiding in the detection of slight movements, colors of ripe fruit, faint sounds of water, or distant herds of prey, contributing to survival and nourishment.

What is the potential impact of the stigma associated with ADHD on individuals with this condition?

The stigma of ADHD and its exclusion from mainstream ideas of functionality can suppress the potential strengths of individuals with ADHD, preventing them from realizing their full capabilities.

What are some benefits of ADHD that the speaker identifies as applicable in the modern world?

The speaker identifies benefits such as effective brainstorming, comfort with a busy mind, the ability to navigate outside one's comfort zone, resilience in the face of setbacks, adaptability in dealing with inattention, and authentic passion for interests.

What does the speaker suggest is the source of distress for individuals with ADHD?

The speaker suggests that the distress for individuals with ADHD comes from not fitting well within the narrowly standardized educational and industrial institutions of society.

What is the term the speaker uses to describe a societal condition that demands uniformity?

The speaker uses the term 'Pro Uniformity Disorder' or 'PUD' to describe a societal condition that demands uniformity and conformity.

What advice does the speaker give to those who are close to individuals with ADHD?

The speaker advises to check frustration, nurture abilities instead of punishing shortcomings, ask about their thoughts to show interest, and encourage spending time in nature, which can be as beneficial as medication.

What self-affirmation technique does the speaker recommend for personal resilience?

The speaker recommends looking in the mirror and reassuring oneself with 'I love you' to foster self-love and resilience, especially in moments of feeling misunderstood or unappreciated.