#72 - ADHD: Disability or Superpower? Professor James Brown Explains The Truth

In Episode 72 of The Struggle, I sit down with ADHD expert Professor James Brown to explore the complex realities of ADHD. Is it a disability, a superpower, or simply a different way of thinking? We dive into the science, lived experiences, and strategies for managing ADHD effectively.

We discuss:

• How ADHD affects motivation, focus, and reward pathways

• Differences in ADHD presentation between men and women

• The hereditary and environmental factors behind ADHD

• The impact of modern life and social media on ADHD

• Practical insights for living with ADHD and accepting yourself

Whether you suspect you have ADHD, are a parent, or just want to understand the condition better, this episode is packed with evidence-based insights and personal experiences.

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Reference List

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

2. Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

3. Brown, T. E. (2020). A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults. Routledge.

4. Castellanos, F. X., & Tannock, R. (2002). Neuroscience of ADHD. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 12(2), 157–162.

5. Faraone, S. V., Larsson, H. (2019). Genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 24, 562–575.

6. Ginsberg, Y., Quintero, J., Anand, E., Casillas, M., & Upadhyaya, H. P. (2014). Underdiagnosis of ADHD in Adults. Postgraduate Medicine, 126(5), 108–122.

7. Hartmann, T. (1993). Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception. Underwood Books.

8. Mate, G. (2010). Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder. Vintage Canada.

9. Nigg, J. T. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Adverse Environments: Implications for Genetic Research. Development and Psychopathology, 29(4), 1527–1545.

10. New Scientist. (2023). “Understanding ADHD in Adults.” [Article]. New Scientist.

11. Shaw, P., et al. (2012). Developmental Neuroimaging of ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(9), 919–926.

12. Volkow, N. D., Wang, G.-J., Fowler, J. S., & Telang, F. (2009). ADHD: Reward Deficiency Syndrome. Biological Psychiatry, 65(10), 859–866.

13. Wilens, T. E., & Spencer, T. J. (2010). Understanding ADHD in Adults. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 18(6), 291–303.

14. Zentall, S. S. (2005). Theory- and Evidence-Based Strategies for ADHD Management. School Psychology Review, 34(3), 377–402.

15. TikTok Studies: Chiu, K. et al. (2023). Misleading ADHD Content on TikTok. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(8), e51234.