ADHD sucks, but not really | Salif Mahamane | TEDxUSU

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Published 2015-12-18

In current society, people with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to struggle if not suffer. Despite this, rather than a disorder, ADHD should be thought of as a particular neuro-cognitive profile; that is, a characteristic brain format that results in a different way of literally thinking. With so many people diagnosed with ADHD – and so many more undiagnosed — we must ask, where does ADHD come from and is it truly a problem in and of itself?

Salif shares a current hypothesis about ADHD’s root and an alternative perspective – including several benefits of the condition – regarding how we engage with it in our schools, homes and selves.

Eisenberg, D. T. A., Campbell, B., Gray, P. B., & Sorenson, M. D. (2008). Dopmaine receptor genetic polymorphisms and body composition in undernourished pastoralists: An exploration of nutrition indices among nomadic and recently settled Ariaal men of northern Kenya. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 8, 173-184.

Salif is currently a doctoral student in the Experimental and Applied Psychological Program at USU. On a day-to-day basis he manages Dr. Kerry Jordan’s Multisensory Cognition Lab. His research investigates cognitive and neurophysiological outcomes of exposure to, and immersion in, natural environments. Salif loves long walks in the mountains, hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and planning his future homestead. Most of all, he loves having no idea whatsoever as to how to parent his two-year-old son, but trying anyway.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@odditoriumleviathan8725 5 years ago

Hello person with adhd scrolling through the comments
@user-sx7fu5ir2f 4 years ago

When you try to watch a video about ADHD but then get distracted reading the comments during the whole video
@RodneshaGreen 1 year ago

"I don't have to TRY to pursue my passions - that's all I CAN pursue." This hit me in the GUT. In tears... good tears. So validating.
@TylerElijah 1 year ago

I am a believer that ADHD doesn’t just make us sensitive to sounds and colors and fast moving objects, but it also grants us the ability to pick up on subtle energetic shifts in people
@bajzable 3 years ago

"PAY ATTENTION!" I had already switched tabs and got so scared lmao
@adambenji7072 3 years ago

I always used to hear “you have soooooo much potential”
@treymtz 1 year ago

One of my biggest struggles with adhd and its executive dysfunction, is initialization of tasks. When you start beating on yourself, mentally and physically, because you just can't start the task and each idea or impulse wants to pull you away and you are just paralyzed it feels like you're powerless. Like something is wrong with you. The self harm part is real. If you know someone who struggles with ADHD, make sure you check on them before you remind them what they struggle with.
@akgirl1830 1 year ago

My 11 year old has ADHD. He does not know it because we live in the woods and he is home schooling. He takes care of dogs, goes outside for a ski, does some school work, plays guitar for 20 minutes and then back outside. He loves fixing motors and making forts and building creatively. He does not enjoy kits or guided projects that come in a box. I can not imagine him not having a wilderness in his backyard to explore, It is is exactly what he needs. I am confident he will be successful. My idea of success is my kids finding joy in their daily life, not having the highest paying job and the biggest toys.
@lindseysquire8417 3 years ago

Me when I'm hyperfocusing: I can do literally anything. I'm going to get a Ph.D and become a therapist! I'm going to go to Harvard!
Me 0.02 seconds after my hyperfocus fades: I mean, sheep farming in Mongolia doesn't sound half bad tbh
@maxslatton5237 3 years ago

The fact that someone with ADHD is doing a tedtalk gives me a lot of hope.
@truthhurts2180 1 year ago

Yooooooo. This video is 6yrs old. WHERE MY ADHD people at? 🙋‍♂️

I’m so glad there’s many more of us out there. I went through a depression thinking I was different. I love all y’all. It is a good thing and now I know how to live with it and I’m a lot happier.
@KaylaNoelle1 1 year ago

The way he opened this talk, the rage and shame directed towards people with ADHD is why I have had suicidal ideations since the age of 8. We start to direct those same words at ourselves after a while. I didn’t get diagnosed until I was 26 and no anti-depressants worked for me, because I didn’t have depression, I was depressed because of my ADHD and how I was treated because of it.
@ghostification 4 years ago

"why dont u remember that we just talked abt it" hurts me on a spiritual level
@DizzehxxMitizzeh42 3 years ago

We're gonna be super valuable whenever the apocalypse finally starts.
@HealthyPriestessSophie 10 days ago

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
@RodriguezGorge 1 month ago

I'm a veteran, was actually addicted to alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with ADHD. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.
@zachrobinson8357 2 years ago

“It’s NOT laziness. And it’s NOT going away.” Really hit hard.
@grammarpolice7339 5 years ago

I have adhd... man I can walk in a circle for 30 min and just looking around and not get bored
@memest3775 1 year ago

Coming from a person with severe adhd I teared up from this cause I just wish people would understand and treat me like he explained.
@MrJackaquack 1 year ago

This guy articulated how ADHD affects me more than anyone else (including myself) ever has.