ADHD: A Myth or Reality? Dr. Gabor Maté’s Controversial Claims

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned author and speaker about ADHD and its impact on people's lives.

Trigger warning: Controversial opinions on ADHD. Because I'm dedicated to helping as many individuals with ADHD as I can, I push myself to the limit and brought someone to this space who has been a contrarian in the ADHD world specifically, in the origins of ADHD. I'll leave it up to you to decide which viewpoint you agree with. But what is noteworthy is that we can all learn from different viewpoints as we continue to explore our experiences with ADHD, what is, what isn't and how it shows up for each of us.

You don't have to agree with my guest's viewpoints to reach the benefits of what he shares during this episode. Trauma is a very real topic for individuals and up to 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

Do I agree with everything in this episode?

Does it matter what I think?

Listen to the end to hear my opinion.

What We Discuss:
• How Dr. Maté believes that ADHD is not a disorder, but a result of the environment in which an individual lives.
• The impact of childhood trauma on the development of ADHD.
• The role of parents in the development of ADHD.
• The need for connection and relationships in managing ADHD.
• The impact of stress on attention and the development of autoimmune diseases.
• The importance of taking care of oneself and managing stress in managing ADHD.
• The role of medication in managing ADHD symptoms.
• The importance of understanding oneself and seeking help in managing ADHD.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let me know your thoughts.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - A special message from Brooke
02:27 - Dr. Gabor Mate’s background in ADHD.
07:14 - ADHD doesn’t have to define you.
12:24 - The architecture of the brain
18:28 - The risk of addiction in ADHD.
23:49 - If you want to get a two-year-old to behave, don’t get triggered…
26:31 - How much do you have to motivate your kids?
30:45 - What’s the difference between compounded trauma and trauma?
35:51 - The importance of the attachment relationship in parenting.
42:14 - If someone has a troubled childhood and their implicit memory is encoded in their brain, can we remove that memory over time?
47:49 - Your body and your mind react when you put pressure on yourself.
52:28 - Gabor’s book recommendations for parents.

[gir]

I partially agree with Dr. Mate, primarily with his claim that the way in which ADHD diagnosis and treatment is most commonly done does not capture the full scope of the disorder. It is imperative for individuals to educate themselves on the disorder to fully understand how it manifests in their daily lives.

I disagree with him on most other points, including his assertion that there is no genetic component. There is a large body of quality evidence which says otherwise. Aside from that, there is also ample data showing that there are structural changes within the brains of those with ADHD.

As someone diagnosed over a decade ago, I still struggle with this disorder on a daily basis. While I am not a doctor, I have still spent countless hours researching and pouring over any relevant studies, listening to lectures, seeing various clinical psychologists with specialization with the disorder, etc. Dr. Mate’s views are quite at odds with the established science.

[jencooper]

He makes more sense to me than most regarding this subject and addiction... brilliant man

[martinb]

"it's not an explanation, it's a description" of an ongoing process🙂 "A nominalisation is a process" was one of the first things that I learned when I once got in touch with NLP 25 years ago. So many people, and even doctors, use their diagnosis as an explanation or as an excuse for staying stuck instead of changing the process. I had to teach my doctor, when I freed myself from the symptoms of an "incurable, chronic autoimmune disease" by ignoring the prescribed medicine after it didn't work for some years, and instead by compassionately "talking" with my body. I came up with this solution after I read some buddhist book about mindful communication and using what I learned before about meditation and hypnosis. I did read "The myth of normal", and learned a lot from Mr. Gabor. And after this interview I think next I'd read the "Scattered minds" and "When the body sais no". Still so many interesting things to learn... 🙂Thanks for the inspiration!

[capgains]

Dialogue/Debate, Russel Barkley & Gabor Mate

[michaelknapp]

I wish we had all this information back in the 70’s when I was a kid!!!! Man did I ever pay a price for having this disorder.

[DosBear]

This is exactly the reason I finally chose to go NO CONTACT with my family, after 60 years, as I will no longer allow this threat of abandonment to be used against me. It's neglect and abuse. Listening to this man is very helpful with coming to some understanding as to why they behaved in this fashion. It may not make it easier but it certainly helps to know that the issue was not mine to begin with & is not my fault.

[georginagalanis]

This is how the standard is challenged and new perspectives and solutions are created . This is how love and wisdom clearly breaks through cyclical and old ways thinking -diagnosis dissected dismantled. Thank you Dr Mate. ❤

[Peace-dr]

This actually makes complete sense my mother has very extreme stress and trauma

[septemberdawn]

I have just tweeted my senior school teacher to thank them for saving me. I can relate to the ‘clever’ comments of teachers but she was so kind and supportive as i wrote to deal with the pain

[wendycorrea]

Dr. Mate is so precious. Thank you. Respect and love for helping us heal ourselves and heal the world.

[ashleacutitta]

I’m so glad that I continued to listen to/watch this video, despite being in complete disagreement initially lol 😂 I actually learned a lot about a topic that I genuinely DO know a lot about. I love when someone can make me completely question what I thought I knew

[trishcovich]

So up to date with the neuro work and now scans that show proof of rewring. I am free of CFS because of you and other up-to-date therapists. I am a therapist and I had no idea how to heal myself. Very sad but I now have tremendous, powerful knowledge. I salute you Dr Gabor

[jonathanpadavatan]

This is so powerful. Healing. Liberating. I'm on Chapter 27 ( jumped from Chapter 4 🙂) of Scattered Minds. Everything seems to be making sense at age 52.

[nevvanclarke]

I work in addictions and oddly I possess ADHD...it sits in my pocket

The wallet comment sits true for me....

But it doesn't define me 😮

I sit for hours and listen

I go into nature as a photographer after work this is critical for my adhd

[jamie.]

DR. gabor absolutely 💯 speaks to me and his videos have brought me to tears 😢. Adhd all my life x ritalin 1982z and still fighting

[denise]

Dr Maté’s work has finally helped me change my life!

[DD-jmug]

Also lessons at school are not interesting. If we incorporate individual interests they may be more motivated.

[maryebert]

We have ADHD in our family. I am a sensitive child. Raised in the 1960s. I was hyper active and bored in school. My parents put me in swim team in middle school. The massive exercise made me sleep at night, straight A student. Captain of the swim team. I have asked to be tested for ADHD at age 66 and I do not have it. What is going on?

[davidstair]

I harped on my wife to get in ADHD meds… I realized that I myself have ADHD and have used alcohol to soothe myself from childhood trauma… my whole life!!

[rein]

I am so intrigued...and it's eye opening the perspectives that Dr Mete brought up. Just wow