Stop Saying 'Just Focus!': Understanding the Complexities of ADHD

Does "Just Focus!" make you want to scream? You're not alone! Dr. Marks shares a patient's story & explains how ADHD is more than just inattention. Discover effective strategies & treatments beyond the "focus" myth. #ADHDSupport #Empowerment #adhdcommunity

[DrTraceyMarks]

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[estefaniagarciaequihualapa]

It's so overwhelming that people don't take you seriously if you more less manage to appear normal

[chadbalonick]

If your reading this and you think you have ADD please do everything you can to get help. It took me 31 years to get medication and it’s saved my life. Your not alone !

[nicolenell]

Thank you so much. I was diagnosed last year during grad school and it changed my life. But a lot of my friends and family believe that it’s I’m just messy or lazy. When I look for people and resources from people that look like me, people just don’t believe that it’s valid. I’m so grateful for online resources like you.

[Anna-tcrz]

"...problems with attention." Crap -rewinds realizing I wasn't paying attention- only had to do it 7 times this video not too bad...

[deoccultist]

"it was like someone switching on the lights." That's exactly how I felt when I took Adderall the first time. I could think clearly, my blocked speech cleared up, I had motivation, and could see things through. I didn't have a prescription, though, a friend gave me one. When I did see a psychiatrist they gave me Strattera, and it made me feel incredibly ill like I had the flu. Later, I tried Wellbutrin, but that only made me easily aggravated. I can't afford a psychiatrist out of pocket, and it's hard to find one who takes Medicaid.

[Timoeltejano]

Thank you for this. I struggled with ADHD before we even had terminology for it. I'm a child of the 70s and went to an elementary school that believed strongly in corporal punishment. I forgot to take my books home to study and homework and was therefore subjected to the physical pain and emotional humiliation of getting a "paddling" usually twice a week because I forgot my homework.
I always got those lectures about "you're so smart but you're not living up to your potential. You just need to...'apply' yourself more."
Even looking back I'm thinking to myself, "What sort of kid wants his behind beaten every other day? Does it make sense that I would have done this...on freaking purpose?"
Which essentially turned my educators into my tormentors.
So I did buy into this myth of laziness, somewhat. Although, in the back of my mind I was still knowing that I was doing my best and just that my best wasn't good enough it as good as others' best.

Thank you for this video

[rebeccajesse]

I was diagnosed at age 29 during my last year of a doctorate degree. Having ADHD is not being stupid.
The first time I took medication it was like cool water was poured on an overheating engine. I was able to sit still and do nothing for the first time in my life. It was a miracle to me that I was sitting down and doing nothing physically or mentally without discomfort. As a kid, boredom felt physically painful. Even as an adult, once I settled into a job and it was no longer new and interesting I would be working, then my chest would start feeling tight and I would feel anxious. I thought it was a panic attack at first. Nope, just how I experienced "boredom". Now I can work and do the boring stuff without pain.

[PineCellar]

The comment from the parent about ADHD being "an American thing" rang too true, as well as the genetic factor. My dad is a Japanese immigrant and would say this when my American mom wanted me to get treatment, even though my dad was the parent who would later be diagnosed as having ADHD. I also dealt with an educational system that basically gave up on me, as I was a girl and "girls don't have ADHD." So, I ended up learning how to teach myself from an early age. I credit that skill to my career successes in design and development, which while I did go to school for art, what made me improve rapidly was having lessons tailor made to interest my ADHD mind by me. Those struggling with ADHD, you aren't dumb and many times, it can be quite the opposite. You are smarter and stronger than what the world tells you. You just need a little guidance and a little help. I hope everyone who is struggling with ADHD sees this video and gets the professional help they need to succeed.

[RashawndaJames]

I’m so happy you made this video. So many people just do not that this is real and can be helped. Glad you are bring awareness! Keep it up!

[CindyCya]

In 3rd grade i was called for a diagnosis after receiving a 23% in my report card. I was only on the medication for 4 months until my mom pulled it after believing the whole “children are being drugged” agenda on Facebook. I’m back to barely passing and wish I could go back to a psychiatrist in the future :( it’s frustrating because I know I’m capable of more.

[esharenee]

I have had about 20 jobs since 2013. My longer stay was a year and that was my first job, I worked alone. I also have a problem getting along with others. I have gotten to the point where I am just tired of working and get gov assistance. But I want a career. I also have a habit of enjoying jobs in the beginning because it's exciting to try new things, but eventually I get bored with doing the same thing over and over again.

[lillyevans]

I cried when I watched some other videos in this series because I've been wondering what the hell is wrong with me for years now I have tried talking to my parents about it but they always say there is nothing wrong with me and I'm clever but I'm just not trying hard enough. During lock down I've sort of given up and I don't do much but read, I have completed pretty much no school work and the days have blended together into a sort of blur, when I cried it was the strongest emotion I had felt and the first time I cried in months. I have no idea how to explain this to my parents because I don't think they will believe me and maybe I'm blowing things out of proportion but this video really helped. Thanks you.

[natoria]

My son was diagnosed with ADHD. I have not been giving him the meds because i didn't agree with the doctor or teacher but after watching your videos I'm going to consider it more now; I feel like I have adhd.... I struggle throughout my childhood and adulthood with feeling like I'm not as smart as my friend, family or colleagues ... omg ...long story short.... I'm going to get myself check. I related and realized that I have a lot of these symptoms. WOW. I'm WOKE! scratch that... after listening to more of this video I'm giving him the meds. My only concern is that he's so young. You talk about how it can affect children due to their brain not being developed all the way yet...he has hyperactivity... definitely. His teacher brought it to my attention. It became more obvious after the constant trouble at school... not necessarily trouble but impulse outburst, short attention span, not finishing all his homework unless supervised... for me it's the constant job changes throughout my life, I just started getting ridiculous tickets where my license got suspended twice and it affected my business... I'm glad I found you! this is mind blowing but I am aware and ready to take action.

[MrJmazing]

It is so gratifying to have someone clearly explain the affects of a person simply having ADD. That it can be a partner, parent, co-worker, child, or other loved one who's struggling everyday.

To put a light on how others misinterpret those individual's struggles with comparisons to others who are more neuro-typical than themselves.

I've come to value your content immensely and recognize the importance of you sharing it so openly and concisely.

Thank You

[nicolemacholz]

I relate so much to this girl. My whole childhood and adolescents was a struggle for me. School was a struggle. My Mom always was upset because I was chronically disorganized and messy and I was alwtas losing or forgetting thing. I almost failed out of high school. I think it was hard for my parents to think I had ADD because I was never really hyperactive. In my late 20's I received the diagnosis of ADD. The light turned on for me then after I started taking meds. I went from almost failing out of school to making the deans list. My sister is a special Ed teacher and her son has ADD. She said my whole childhood made sense to her after I was diagnosed. I am now 37 years old and was so proud of myself when I graduated nursing school with the highest average in my class.

[luluciferia]

I wish you could be my therapist. So hard to get good therapy when i am homeless.

[FontSound]

Dr. Marks, I want to cry because I've been challenged to communicate with a loved one that some things just don't work the same way in my brain. I've grown to appreciate how far I've come since my life pre-diagnosis, but the world only sees so much. Staying confident in the face of ignorant or misinformed criticism is embarrassingly my biggest struggle right now.

[Fullchristainname]

The oxygen loss cause makes a lot of sense. I work in medical billing (aka I read people’s medical records for a living) and the similarities in symptoms between people with head injuries and adhd is freakishly similar, to the point that I’ve seen doctors prescribe adderall for post-concussion syndrome. I am the only person in my family with adhd and I’m also the only one who had an oxygen loss event at birth.

[erinrow]

I feel personally attacked when you said more speeding issues lmao. Sigh. You’re right though, I can’t drive slow even when I know I should.