Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)**, formerly known as **Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)**, is a neurodevelopmental disorder often diagnosed in childhood and lasting into adulthood, however one can be diagnosed with ADHD at any age. It is commonly associated with certain behaviors, such as inability to focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, although there are many other symptoms of ADHD. Another name is **Attention Control Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder** **(ACDHD)**, due to Executive Function Impairments and challenges as well as the capacity to achieve hyper-focus or get sidetracked with (or without) external or easily Identifiable stimuli.

## Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of ADHD can be different and vary for each individual, and not everyone with ADHD will have the same symptoms or all symptoms on this list. They are usually classified based on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Common symptoms are as follows:

* Inattention
	+ Often has trouble sticking with assigned tasks and/or activities
	+ Often fails to notice small details and makes careless mistakes in activities that require attention to detail, such as schoolwork
	+ Tends to dislike and/or avoid activities that take a long time and a lot of attention to complete
	+ Often seems "spaced out" or not paying attention, even when directly spoken to
	+ Has difficulty prioritizing tasks and completing them in a timely manner
	+ Struggles with time management
	+ Has difficulty multitasking
	+ Often loses or misplaces items
	+ Will often "skim over" long blocks of text
	+ Time blindness
* Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
	+ Constant fidgeting or stimming
	+ Inability to stay seated for a long period of time
	+ Inability to take part in leisure activities quietly
	+ Running and/or moving around at inappropriate times
	+ Often interrupts others when speaking
	+ Often has trouble waiting
	+ Tends to talk excessively
	+ Often begins new tasks before completing previous ones
* Hyperfixations
	+ Hyperfixations are when a neurodivergent individual is seemingly "obsessed" with a subject, object, hobby, etc., and they often know everything to know about their hyperfixation and love talking about it. These hyperfixations are sometimes dropped as quickly as they were picked up - however, some hyperfixations do last a long time. They are a common symptom of ADHD but can also be seen in autism spectrum disorder. Many neurodivergent individuals consider the ability to hyperfixate a "superpower" and it can be a positive thing for those who hyperfixate.

## Types of ADHD

There are three main types of ADHD, which are as follows:

### Predominantly Inattentive Presentation

* An individual with predominantly intattentive-presenting ADHD will often have trouble focusing, sticking to tasks at hand, managing time, remembering details of daily routines, etc.

### Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation

* An individual with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive-presenting ADHD will often fidget and/or stim excessively, have trouble sitting still, interrupt others while speaking, etc.

### Combined Presentation

* An individual with combined presentation ADHD will often have a mixture of the above types.

## Known Individuals with ADHD

### Emma Watson

Emma Watson is an actress most known for her role as Hermoine Granger in the *Harry Potter* franchise. She was diagnosed with combined type ADHD and medicated since childhood.

### Walt Disney

Walt Disney, the founder of the Disney corporation, was thought to have ADHD, although there was no official diagnosis. As a child, Disney struggled in school and eventually dropped out of high school at the age of 16.

### Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling was evaluated for ADHD at a young age and had trouble reading. "I didn't feel very smart. They kept passing me in school even though I didn't know how to do things I should have known how to do. Like, I couldn't real... I couldn't absorb any of the information, so I caused trouble."

### Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps, a famed Olympic swimmer, says that he's turned his struggles with ADHD into what helps him swim. "I could go fast in the pool, it turned out, in part because being in the pool slowed down my mind. In the water, I felt, for the first time, in control." The Michael Phelps Foundation has introduced swimming to many children though the Boys & Girls Clubs of American and Special Olympics.

### Mila Kunis

In a 2001 interview discussing her role on 'That 70's Show,' actress Mila Kunis opened up about her personal experiences with ADHD. Diagnosed with severe ADHD in her childhood, Kunis shared that she continues to take medication daily to manage her symptoms. She likened her experience with ADHD to driving a race car with ultra-sensitive accelerators and no brakes in a world that moves at the speed of a leisurely bike ride.

### Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, known scientist, is believed to have had ADHD, although there was no official diagnosis. Many believe that, due to his disorganization, out of the box thinking and creativity, hyper-focusing, use of stimulants (such as coffee), and inattention, he was very likely to have ADHD. He is also known to have autism (Asperger’s syndrome) after researchers discovered his journals after his death, mentioning his personal experiences in public, etc, and his brain, which showed many signs to autism.

### Simone Biles

Simone Biles, another well-known Olympic legend, also has ADHD. Unfortunately, this information was revealed through hackers breaking into her confidential medical records in order to attempt to discredit her and found her taking ADHD medications. "I have ADHD and I have taken medicine for it since I was a kid. Please know, I believe in clean sport, have always followed the rules, and will continue to do so as fair play is critical to sport and is very important to me." she said on Twitter following the leak.

### Adam Levine

Adam Levine, lead singer for the band Maroon 5, was diagnosed with ADHD during his early teenage years. He launched the "Own It" campaign and has collaborated with the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

### Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake, former member of the American boy band NSYNC, said in an interview with the *Collider*, "I have OCD mixed with ADD, you try living with that."

### Britney Spears

Britney Spears was diagnosed with ADHD in her teens and used to take medication for it. However, she can't take medication for it anymore because most medications given for ADHD interfere with her other medications she takes for mental health issues.

### **Margot Robbie**

Since her early childhood, Margot Robbie has exhibited remarkable hyperactivity. She fondly recalls her passion for staging performances, ensuring that her home was always bustling with lively shows. At age 6, she was diagnosed with ADHD and she has been taking Ritalin ever since.

## References

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/adhd/16-symptoms-of-adhd-in-adults/

https://themighty.com/2020/07/time-blindness-adhd-struggle-with-time/

https://mangoclinic.com/hyperfixation-a-unique-aspect-of-mental-illness/

https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/photo-gallery/46084806/image/46084973/Emma-Watson

https://feeds.rxwiki.com/slideshow/20-public-figures-adhd/walt-disney

https://castingfrontier.com/actors-with-adhd/

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/celebrity-spotlight-how-michael-phelps-adhd-helped-him-make-olympic-history

http://www.depression-guide.com/disorders/albert-einstein-adhd.htm

https://www.additudemag.com/simone-biles-adhd-olympic-gymnast-publicly-addresses-condition/

https://www.casapacifica.org/news/blog/adam\_levine\_talks\_about\_adhd/

https://collider.com/justin-timberlake-interview-the-love-guru/

https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/britney-suffers-from-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-605274

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3053338/trivia/?ref\_=nm\_dyk\_trv

https://togethermag.eu/margot-robbie-a-hollywood-actress-living-the-dream/