ADHD and Executive Function - Dr. Russell Barkley | Child Mind Institute

Dr. Russell Barkley, a professor of psychiatry at the University of South Carolina, is a leading expert on ADHD.

Here he discusses the five cognitive abilities that appear to be impaired in children with ADHD.

[americannerdproject]

Shout-out to all my fellow ADHD homies reading through the comments and not listening to the video

[MnJiman]

To those who think ADHD is not real.

Those with ADHD do not care how they are treated, they just want to be treated. It is not normal to forget what is being talked to you about within 5 seconds after it was mentioned. It is not normal to have to yell at yourself to do a simple task, but can not move to do it. You want to call that lazy? Alright imagine every single time you do something but you have no excitement in doing your brain feels like a vice is crushing it. Imagine  Imagine writing yourself multiple notes to remembers your moms birthday, only to have her heart broken because you still forgot. Imagine feeling shame, doubt, guilt, self hate because you try so hard to actually be productive... and you simply can't.

People want to call this "This is just how they are, " Well guess what? Get it out of your mind that you think these are actual choices. Get it out of your mind that you think you know what ADHD is because you obviously dont. It can be a true nightmare for many many people. This isn't fun. This is a lack of control of how we operate and JUST TRYING HARDER isn't how you fix it. I wish it was. I tried that.

[XxQueenChristinaxX]

ADHD answered a lot of questions I had in my life when I got diagnosed as an adult. Before I was just trying my best in life while thinking that I was just dumb or a failure.

[PointPowerSword]

People conflate ADD with laziness when it's reallysimple:

Laziness: I don't feel like doing this thing so I wont

ADD: I may desperately want to do this thing and I try my best to, but I'm unable to/it's way harder than it should be (depends on the thing)

[ayannalarry]

As he says control emotions I’m
Literally breaking down into tears because my brain is useless

[PunkMartyr]

I dont have all the answers but the words that come to mind
1. To do lists and organization system
2. Routine and habits
3. Plan to work during your high energy window
4. Positivity - shut down any negative self talk
5. Positive affirmations and self pep talk
6. Remember why youre doing whatever it is; revisit your goals annd dreams list regularly
7. Youre not alone. It is going to be ok.

I have adhd, ocd rumination, ptsd and a couple other things. Experience self love and love for others. Life is short and its easy to get depressed and stay there.

[elizabethscott]

Dr. Barkley changed the way our family thought of and responded to one of our relatives with ADHD. Because of Dr. Barkley, our relative is not homeless or helpless. Thank you, Dr. Barkley, for the thousands of hours of research, writing, speaking engagements, personal fortitude, and teaching on this subject. It is not too strong to say that you have saved lives that otherwise would be in ruins.

[towmter]

Well said. The creative ADHD mind is gifted when it comes to ideas, solutions or inventions. It's the inability to act upon, or follow through that becomes the seemingly insurmountable hurdle.

[towmter]

Diagnosed late in life (46yrs), and spending the last year recalling memories of things I said, did or didn't do, I can attest to the executive functions being the primary factor. Learning more about the brain and executive functions has done wonders in helping me understand the 'why' in ADHD, and I can now begin to practice and learn how to counteract the daily impulses. Anger and Depression about 'not knowing' for so many years is still a struggle.

[aopt]

thank you for your advice
1. behavior
2. Image
3. Talk
4.Emotion
5. Plan

I will keep in mind these keywords

[SomeSmallFish]

Funny thing is I got here by procrastinating. Oh ADHD... You so silly.

[hotwireyouth]

How's it possible I can watch a whole video and not know a single thing he said?

[Philisophicles]

I watched this video on ADHD, but I got completely lost during this explanation because I have ADHD....

I'm not trying to be a smartass, I'm just really disappointed about how prevalent my condition is. :(

[ReginaldDesrosiers]

Talking to yourself as a form of self control - I didn’t realize that was a thing 😅

[DaveE]

the fact that hindsight and foresight (and time awarness) are impaired i feel is why i have always been overly deliberet in what i go about doing.

[Eddie-wntu]

Wow.  The conversation below after this 3 min video is mind blowing.    People spouting out disdain for ADHD and related issues, yet their  comments show  a fundamental lack of understanding of science or the mind.   Psychology is an imperfect field, agreed,  but for goodness sake, have some humility and gather some information  before you trash other people's life work and other peoples suffering.   The world might be a better place.           ....and Thanks Dr. Barkley for your brilliant work...perfect, imperfect, or otherwise.

[AnskiDanskie]

So sad to see that this video is 9 years old and there are still so many misconceptions, in both lay people and professionals.

[NikiKircherRoss]

This is a wonderful analogy and I wanted to thank you because my 18 year old son is struggling with this right now and this advice from someone who is in his position will be helpful to share with him.

[Tracyinwi]

My Life experience! Been dealing with these issues all my life and never been able to put into words what I was going through. So good to know someone finally gets it!

[Greg-xubs]

As a parent of a 29 y.o. son diagnosed at age 5 with Aspergers and ADHD I can only say its been pretty much an exhausting series of traumatic happenings that has damaged my family over the years to the point where its affecting every living moment of our lives. I just can't see an end to these struggles. Our son rules our lives with his foul dysfunctional moods and we live in fear, treading on eggshells. Recently he injured me during a struggle. Police are regular visitors to our home because of his outrageous behaviours. My sympathy to other parents in similar circumstances.