ADHD as a Gift or a Curse: Hallowell vs. Barkley - Part 1

This four-part video series centers on the widely held view that Dr Edward Hallowell and I have sharp disagreements or contrasting views on the nature of ADHD, with him viewing it as a gift and me seeing it as a curse or pathology. While largely mistaken, this view fails to appreciate the many ideas about ADHD we have in common. Yet there are a few ideas about ADHD on which we disagree. I also believe that there are multiple downsides to viewing ADHD as a gift or super-power.

Part 1 - Here I hope to give some background to this popular view of our opinions as being highly divergent.

Part 2 – In this short lecture I set forth the many areas of agreement between Dr. Hallowell and I on various aspects of ADHD.

Part 3 – Here I wish to concede certain points to critics of my opinions on ADHD, though I disagree with their accusations that I over-pathologize the disorder.

Part 4 – I discuss the several areas where I do disagree with some of the views expressed by Dr. Hallowell and why. I also discuss the several downsides that might potentially arise from viewing ADHD as a gift, super-power, or just awesome.

[stmcm]

If ADHD is a gift, I`d like to return it right away.

[fayprivate]

Frankly, having ADHD, I fail to see it as a gift. Even more so because I spent a lifetime (76 years) without knowing what was wrong with me. I am 81 now. I was so smart, yet, so discombobulated. It’s been a very painful journey.

[BladeAustralia]

Sixty-three years untreated ADHD - absolutely a curse 🤬 Had I'd access to treatment and guidance as a child, I can see how 🤔 it could have been a benefit.

[Elspm]

I suspect Dr Hallowell's approach is more helpful for patients who see ADHD as a label of failure they can't get away from, and they need to reconceptualise the label. Whereas for me, I had the feeling of failure anyway, and the label helps me appropriately categorise problems I have as ADHD, depersonalising them in a way which allows me to tackle them head on.

To my mind the disorder is the label for the bits of my brain which disable me. The bits that don't disable me are by definition not the disorder.

[JimmieHammel]

Lol... The background info on your two outlooks is spot on. That is very much the caricature.

I do have to say that I feel frustrated with both. I don't want to be told about my Ferrari brain, cause my bicycle brakes are melted and dripping from my ears with how frustrating I find myself at times. But I also don't like being told my brain is so broken that I'll never amount to anything.
I do hope that the reality of the situation is somewhere nicely in the middle of melted and useless. 😅😅😅

Excited for the full presentation.

[marklenington]

There are Silver Linings to ADHD which people mistake as Super Powers. A personal example from me: I am tremendously experienced in restaurants and get to work in fancy places - I will always have a job making great money but only because I've worked in 37 establishments - job hopping as we ADHDer's do -ending business relationships by getting fired after an impulsive behavior or lack of preparation/execution - OR quitting impulsively or prematurely due to interpersonal conflict with co-workers. My Silver Lining comes through after a lot of pain and frusteration. But again I have a wine certification and make as much money as I want still not by a normal path.

[zamandzeya]

Adhd has been a curse for me. People can be gifted with or without adhd, if someone is gifted and has adhd that doesn't mean the adhd is a gift, but it can be impossible to separate the person from the adhd.

[Rollwithit]

I was finally diagnosed at age 68 with ADHD and autism level 1 with giftedness.
Although autism has its downside, it has been basically very positive in my life.
I do not see my ADHD as a positive in my life. The racing thoughts, paralysis, impulsivity and/or anxiety takes away from my positive autistic traits. My brain is at odds with itself a great deal of the time. It is exhausting

[MMiler]

Curse factor increases with two variables - The older a person is, the more likely they've been punished their whole lives for a disability without knowing why, compounding the effects of not being treated. The other variable is parental (divorced / together / supportive / not supportive / richer / poorer). The less privileged the worse it seems.

[seabrookel]

The abundance of content creators with ADHD makes it clear it can be a gift when harnessed and/or supported, but the abundance of stories of struggle also make it clear it can be a curse when it’s not well supported/diagnosed. It is neither and both at the same time.

[OrafuDa]

As an ADHD researcher, it is natural to be more focussed on the pathological aspects of ADHD. Because that is what ADHD research is mostly focussed on, to help understand and treat the impairments of ADHD, and to measure all aspects of this. A lived experience of ADHD “from the inside” on the other hand lends itself more to talking about less researched aspects of ADHD, from your own experience and introspection, and from connection and comparison of experience with patients.

A fuller appreciation of the whole picture of biological differences between people with different brains is also far more difficult to research and put together than just focussing on impairments. And we are only starting to find out how much of impairment is more likely to remain being seen as inherent to ADHD, and how much is the result of an under appreciation by society — although this is already taking shape.

[pablogarrido]

In my opinion ADHD is only a bless when you have a supportive (rich and very educated) early life environment where your lack of executive function can be accomodated to a good extent (including economic and material support). Only then others may start seeing your worth. Since ADHD is also hereditary it is likely that your parents are hardcore masking and if they come from a more conservative generation or background for sure they will get triggered by your behaviour, giving you other mental health issues. And i'm not even mentioning other people outside of the family who may have a very consciencious personality, they will not like you regardless.

[TiffTheTyrant]

I think the only gift that I really FEEL is a gift with ADHD, is that when there is a crisis I’m incredibly calm and can somehow problem solve. My brain is a storm of activity that gives me an undercurrent of anxiety every other time, but when there’s a real threat I’m incredibly calm and can think when others can’t. Go figure 😆

[SaltAndVinegar]

Just wanted to say thanks! Came across your videos, talks and research just this year. It is just a great foundation for my healing journey, understanding my funny brain... Being 46 now.. better late than never. It's never too late to flip the coin of struggle and see some silver lining. Much love to you all

[publius]

The thing I most agree with Hallowell about is the need for a creative outlet so the default mode network can't turn towards self critique - something as simple as cooking will do. I don't think Hallowell is that pollyannish, because he talks about his own depression type struggles, but I do think he grabs on a lot of less proven things with too much fervor. I would be interested in some talk with Dr. Hallowell about his father who was bipolar, I believe, and how that relates to ADHD. I think you underestimate the value of bringing others onto your channel rather than having response videos, because I'm more interested in the random matters that come up in longer conversations, but it's good to see some branching out.

[tinyshepherdess]

As a 64-year-old woman with ADHD (diagnosed at age 37) who has struggled with all the things women are supposed to be good at (organization, shopping & cooking, managing households & social schedules, etc.), I can unequivocally say that ADHD is a curse. I have been embarrassed and shamed for my failings time and again. Sure, I'm intelligent & creative but those qualities don't help me cope with life. Today I mostly hide from the world to avoid scrutiny. I truly believe it's easier for ADHD men who often have a wife who takes care of them. Though I admire his work, I wish Hallowell would take this into consideration.

[LUA_LUA_LUA]

Dr. Hallowell is the author of the first book I read on ADHD! It was soooo helpful.

PS: a curse, based on my experience (considering also the disregard from doctors, who should be our "guardians" instead of institutional barriers).

[che]

thanks to adhd i can fire off really great ideas and solutions in quick succession. I can focus obsessively on a new topic for days and nights and all-nighters, then come out of it like a pseudo expert. Things move. The awful part is the heart palpitations, uncontrollable surges in adrenaline, sporadic dispersion of attention….and a whole lot of time needed to wind down and calm dawn. Another downside is difficulty in understanding emotions and socializing when younger.

[agnesagni]

"Handsome guys there, l think." - my mind was just getting lulled into this "listening to lectures" kind of state, and l laughed out loud at this sentence, my attention activated. I love your way of presentation so much, l am grateful for all the work you do for us, ADHD-ers. 🙏

[altyrrell]

I am really looking forward to this series.