me, watching this three and a half years ago: wow these symptoms sound like me! me, now with an ADHD diagnosis: ohhhhh it was the ADHD

This episode of vlogbrothers brought to you by Hank's Toes! Hank's Toes: They're goin' right now!

As a woman with ADHD this video makes me very happy. I found out recently that my mother tried to get me diagnosed when I was a child, but was told "girls don't get ADHD". My whole life I have struggled with self-esteem and self-image issues with no idea why. I just assumed I was broken or stupid. It wasn't until my 30s that I got an official diagnosis and medication. Being able to think for the first time in my life is incredible. While so many things in the past now make sense, I do mourn all the missed opportunities and ruined friendships. I can't help but think, "Where would I be if...?"

whenever I Google my symptoms for anything I always end up reading that I'm going to die

I got diagnosed with ADHD when I was in college after taking an abnormal psych class and realizing "wait, this is ME." Turns out, because girls present less often with the hyperactive symptoms, I wasn't diagnosed as a kid. Neither was my older sister, who didn't realize she had it until I talked to her about my diagnosis. She was FORTY. She (and my mom, who probably also has it) had built up some pretty bulletproof coping mechanisms throughout life, but it also cemented patterns and habits that were really destructive to her life, personally and professionally. We're both medicated now, and it's such a huge change. I'm extremely appreciative that knowing this about myself will probably help me avoid some of the pitfalls that befell them. And MAN do I get pissed at assholes who say ADHD doesn't exist, or that the medications that treat it are "basically crack". Maybe with YOUR brain chemistry, Nathan Neurotypical, but if they didn't help me I wouldn't take them.

So basically, Hank should've gone to Camp Half-Blood but missed his opportunity.

ADHD can be tough but it can be useful too. The problem is when it also comes with Anxiety and Depression. I call them the Unholy Trinity.

“But here’s the general thing about psychological disorders…disorders are only classified as disorders when they’re ongoing, frustrating impairments.” This quote was what I needed to hear today.

The best definition of disability I’ve ever hear is: A disability is the mismatch between a person’s abilities (or features) and their environment; I love this one because it highlights that disabilities are often highly contextual.

"I still often hurt people's feelings or annoy them by going somewhere else in my head when people that I care about are talking to me." Boy, do I know this story! Thank you so much for addressing this.

"I get irrationally angry" *HANK SMASSSHHH!!!*

I was looking into the Autism spectrum for my granddaughter, and I found myself. : O

So this is why DFTBA socks are so quality

Re: not wanting to get diagnosed because you don't want to start blaming things on it: It doesn't sound like you have the problem I had, but getting diagnosed allowed me to stop blaming *myself* for various shortcomings and mistakes I'd made that I felt like I "should" have been able to just avoid like a "normal" person. That self-blame also led to a lot of self-doubt and completely crippled my self-esteem for most of my young adulthood. Having something to "blame" for a lot of my past troubles made my confidence shoot up and allowed me to move forward with my life. And now the things I still do wrong sometimes, I don't feel all "omg I just do those things and I don't know why and I can't seem to change it what is wrong with me??" kind of helpless. I feel empowered, because I know why I do those things and I know I *can* change them, or at least find some way to compensate for it.

Maybe no one will read this but, I was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia at 19 in my second semester of my senior year of high school. I've always been an average student, getting Cs wasn't a rare occurrence but no one ever suspected anything. I just thought that taking 2-3 hours on one assignment was because of my depression and anxiety and OID. I only got tested because I did REALLY bad on the ACT (standardized test to go to college in the US) and after spending thousands to get my diagnosis, it really cleared stuff up for me. I can't imagine how much better as school I could have been if I was diagnosed as a kid, and I think it wasn't caught because I'm a girl and was taught to sit quietly with my hands to myself. I thought I was just stupid because I couldn't read out loud or spell, and still in college I struggle to get work done. But now I know I'm not alone, getting that diagnosed changed me and I can catch myself when I have bad days or weeks. I wish more people would openly discuss learning disabilities in girls and women because it often gets over looked because the symptoms are different. Thank you for making this video

"how did I ever function without help?" I ask my ADHD ass this question every day

Oh, man. I'm an ADHDer, and the irrational rage about interruption thing gets me in heaps of trouble all the time. I feel that.

I love your shout out to How To ADHD, she has great videos and a helpful channel in general

Hank, I love how you’re recognizing the privilege that you’ve had - support, economic advantages, luck - and it’s also good to know that ADHD symptoms can be tackled - as a person who struggles hearing that you can lead a good life makes me excited to start therapy

Hi Hank - I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for making this video 7 months ago. It was a long journey from this video, through How to ADHD's channel, and working with my current therapist to receive a formal 3rd party ADHD evaluation and diagnosis, as well as working with my PCP to get started on a medication. Thanks to your video, I now have answers about my anger/impulse problems as a child, my parent's reactions to my childhood behavior, my compulsiveness toward food, my suicidal ideation as a teenager, and my job hopping and relationship struggles as an adult. Prior to understanding ADHD, specifically it's presentation in girls/women, I let myself and the doctors I worked with point me towards PMS, depression, anxiety and even PTSD. Now I understand that my symptoms for each of these things fall under the umbrella of ADHD, which I can treat directly, rather than playing whack a mole with my list of symptoms. *TL;DR This video directly led to immense improvement for my quality of life and my understanding of self. Thank you!*

"Hello Brains! ". Thank you for sharing her with everyone. She saved me and will forever be my Ms. Rogers. It was so crazy to find another soul who was afraid to write stuff down because something inside me said the document I wanted to scribble notes on was somehow sacred. Thank you so much for this video!

**scrolling through the comments while video is still playing** what did he say? something about adhd? glad i dont have that!

This video convinced me to go in for ADHD testing one year ago. Since then, my life has improved immeasurably. Thanks, Hank.

As someone with autism.... this sounds A FREAKIN' LOT like myself. And I too was first diagnosed with ADD (not ADHD) and after getting my Autism Diagnosis the psychologist told me that the ADD diagnosis still stands because there's some links between them they don't fully understand yet. So, interesting.

I've been diagnosed with ADHD, and I am in the worst 1% of inattentiveness (according to a continuous performance task). I still managed to be fairly successful. That probably is because 1. I seek challenge (hard things are easier to focus on because they are interesting). 2. I use my associative memory (which is far more powerful than that of neurotypical people) to replace my working memory. I actually learned to program it a little. 3. I don't try to be neurotypical. I am not. And I have no desire to be neurotypical. A tiger can probably learn how to swim, but he's better at running on land (and enjoys it a lot more too). I wouldn't trade my brain for any other. I don't have much social anxieties, and because of this I just enjoy life more than most people.

Collab with How to ADHD!

Thank you for talking about this, Hank. As someone with really, really severe ADHD, it means a lot to see one of my role models talking openly about it. Although I was diagnosed as a teen, I was only given medication, not the tutoring and help that you talked about, and I'm really struggling to deal with adult life now having not learned how to deal with those. But knowing that you can manage all that you do with a similar disability makes me believe maybe I can achieve at least some of the things I want to in life.

Hank, I watched this video last spring soon after you posted it... and I had never before considered the fact that I had ADHD. I was so intrigued as in this video, you described so much of my life as potential "symptoms of ADHD." I then watched "How to ADHD" videos... like a million of them... and quickly self-diagnosed myself with ADHD. Since then, I've talked to my doctor, gotten properly diagnosed, gone on meds (which have helped immensely!!!) and this has also led to my son getting diagnosed, and my husband being in the process of potentially being diagnosed as well. Yes, we're one happy ADHD family over here. All of this to say, thank you for being honest and willing to share about this - diagnosis or not. It has made an incredible difference in my family. Similar to you, I had developed so many coping mechanisms and had such great supports that the "impairments" were buffered enough that I could function seemingly fine without a diagnosis or medication. My six year old son, however, did not have those coping mechanisms. He was struggling emotionally and otherwise, and we desperately needed this breakthrough. While I'm sure we would have ended up at this conclusion eventually, your video was absolutely the catalyst to us all being diagnosed when we did. So again, thank you. I have loved your videos for a long time, and will continue watching for a very long time... but this video will always be my favourite as it was the first glimpse I had at the key to peace for my son.

FUN IMPORTANT FACT: A lot of girl's don't get diagnosed with ADD/ADHD bc they often exhibit symptoms in different ways. I have a twin brother who was diagnosed in fourth grade bc he was openly disruptive and wiggly and unattentive, where as I diagnosed myself in college because I was trapped n my head with my inability to stay focused and not doodle and organize my thoughts/actions.

I have ADD (I grew out of the H), and when people joke around saying, "Oh, I guess I was just ADD there!," it irritates me a little bit. Like ADD is some sort of joke or punchline. They don't understand the fact that some routine tasks take a while because it's hard to focus on them, or that it can be too easy to hyper-focus on something that maybe isn't the top priority (and feel very uncomfortable when I'm forced out of that activity until I can get back to it and finish it), or insomnia because you can't turn off your mind just because it's dark. So thank you for brining this issue up and showing people that 1) it's not a joke, 2) drugs aren't the only way to treat it, and 3) if you do need drugs, there is nothing wrong with that. Also, as a new dad (6 mo.), I know that having these issues while having a young child can be really hard. Trying to focus when there is screaming in the back room or being constantly pulled out of projects to help out can take its toll. If you need someone to talk to (who isn't one of your real-life friends or family or any of your other 2.96 million subscribers), let me know!

I was just diagnosed with ADHD at 24! I'm so much happier now. Hyperfocus is a telltale sign of true ADHD.

I have a mental disorder called Asperger's syndrome, which is classified as an autism spectrum disorder which is characterized by difficulty with communication and social situations. I decided to take this as a challenge and forced myself to pursue a career where I had no choice but to communicate effectively. I became a teacher and can confidently say that while I still prefer being alone, I have very little difficulty communicating with others when I want to.

OML!! I love Jessica so much and I was watching her video over and over yesterday bc it was so good and helpful, and then I see this and I think "haha, what if he's talking about Jessica and HowToADHD?? Imagine that" and then you freakin mention her and link her channel!!??? Like this is so surreal I'm so happy for her bc I feel like her channel is so good but it's not getting enough "attention",(haha ADHD joke), so I'm so glad you made this video. Her channel really helps me out on an almost daily basis, and I think she'll be able to help lots more people now💕💕💕

This video has single handedly given me a break down but also kinda changed my life. Thank you.

Thank you for this video, Hank! I diagnosed myself with ADHD- inattentive at 30 and I'm still trying to figure out how to get through the hardest parts of living in my brain and working with it to survive and thrive. It's a lot of trial and error but I'm working hard and also found How to ADHD a few months back. What a gift! Thanks for being so honest and I'm so glad you had amazing help and support and have created a life in which your brain thrives. That is so hopeful to hear!

Thank you Hank for giving me some hope today after a very trying and exhausting weekend. My middle child has an SPD and possibly autism or some wacky combination of both or, jeeze, some days none. The best answer most days is he's a bit different. For years we have been going to therapy and special education meetings and behavioral planning sessions etc etc. Its hard, its expensive, it's exhausting and most painfully most days it feels pretty fruitless as we still struggle deeply. His father and I do all of these things with the hope and mantra in heart that one day years from now he will be able to say the things you just said " because of the help I had, I have formed my own functional path". So, thank you for the reinvigorated fire to read another article and schedule another therapy session and yet again remind him not to body slam his siblings simple because they aren't paying direct attention to him. Thank you!!!

Hyper-focus, you say? me, circa 2010: "Mike, when did you get up this Saturday morning?" "Like, eight?" "And you've been working on your animation assignment since then? "Yeah." "It's like 9. PM. Did you eat dinner?...Did you eat at all?" "...oh yeah. Food is a thing."

My son has sensory processing disorder, and we are currently waiting to see a developmental pediatrician to see if a better diagnosis would be autism spectrum disorder. He is 7 and always moving. We often discuss this "busy brain" of his and help him develop coping mechanism because, as you damn well said, this will be the reality of his life and we, as his parents, are tasked with the singular privilege of helping him navigate his world. Quirks and all. If I could reach through this screen and give you a huge hug I would. Tears in face and all. Not only for shining a light on an often uncomfortable issue to talk about, but for giving this mom hope that yeah, even when we aren't there to help him buffer the noise, he is gonna be ok. ❤

Holy crap!! I've never heard anyone on UKposts talk about this. I've struggled with Sensory Processing Disorder my whole life and I'm so grateful for you talking about this! Thank you thank you thank you!!

I'm autistic and we share some similar traits. I totally am there with you. Thank you for talking about it!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO HANK!!! First of all, How to ADHD is an amazing resource and her videos are constantly shown by the psychologists and councillors in my ADHD support group. I was diagnosed with ADHD just over a year ago and that diagnosis changed my life. I wish I had been diagnosed as a child. I got effortlessly good grades throughout most of high school so I didn't notice any issues until I hit year 12 when it actually started affecting my studies. I've always had issues with time management and irrationally intense bursts of emotion or anger. I didn't know there was anything different about me though. Getting diagnosed was the best and scariest thing that ever happened to me. If there's anyone who thinks they might have ADHD, go to a GP, or if you're at school or uni, go to see your free councillor. So many people are diagnosed when they're already past their teens, girls especially tend to be underdiagnosed because they tend not to fit the ADHD stereotype as much as boys. When ADHD is untreated for so long you can tend to have more issues with anxiety and depression as well, so see a doctor and start on the path to getting treatment. That can be a combo of medication, learning how to structure your life to get the most out of the way your brain works, nutrition and exercise. The main thing I've learned through this whole ordeal is I need to try and get over my fear of asking for help, because if I'd never asked for help, no one would have known I needed it. Also, every time I have worked up the courage to ask, everyone has been more than willing, eager even, to help me.

How To ADHD is one of my favorite channels! I am a heart (person who loves someone with ADHD) to a 9 year old Brain (person with ADHD) and these videos have been great for both of us - thanks for letting more people know about them.

Thank you for the incredibly honest perspective, as someone dealing with mental disorders it feels so good to not be alone.

Dear Hank, I have been diagnosed with this for some time. You spoke about things that I have been feeling, dealing with, and trying to get better at. Thank you deeply. Congratulations on being able to take care of things and create systems for yourself; that is hard and I am so happy for you. I can't wait to watch this next video!

This is perfect timing; I was having this very conversation with my mother last week because I've been having trouble understanding how my mind works recently. My concentration is not what it used to be. Sometimes I fade off mid-conversation. My attention span and sensitivity is changing. Maybe I have adult ADHD. Maybe I'm having harsher PMS symptoms that I didn't have in the past. My mom told me that in any case, you can never escape the effort of understanding and getting along with yourself. Then I realized the privilege, of having the time, recourses, and support to find a way to work it through. It's like I've entered a new chapter in life. I have a new friend, my own body, and it's really just like any other deep relationship. Sometimes it's hard to get along, sometimes it won't do the things you would want it to do, but it just takes patience, understanding, and faith to build a relationship that's productive yet caring.

Thank you so much for making this video. As someone with ADD it means a lot to me. Also- what you said about being able to get really focused on something and getting angry when interrupted is called hyperfocus. I highly recommend Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey.

thank you for making this video and sharing the link. it's great to hear different perspectives on things that others might consider just a hinderance.

Thank you Hank, I have always looked up to you and it's really comforting to hear that you have difficulties with that stuff to. Thank you for being such a hero with your brother, I can't tell you how much you've helped me learn and become who I am today.

As someone with Aspergers and ADD (as I've never been hyperactive, but I do struggle with focusing), I deeply appreciate this. I used to be really self-conscious about my diagnosis, but now I've figured out a lot of ways to help myself thanks to the support system I have. I've realized that I focus better when I'm being creative and that it helps to break big projects into chunks to avoid getting too anxious about them. Folk/acoustic music helps me relax when I'm stressed or anxious, so I keep playlists on all of my devices. I still struggle sometimes, but I'm getting better grades in college than I ever had in high school because I've finally learned to work with the way my brain functions.

I was diagnosed with slow processeing speeds officially in my first year of university. Before that, I was tested in my last year of high school, but it wasn't until university that I actually took an IQ test with an educational psychologist. All the time previously, my family, my teachers and I all thought I was just slow. Everything I do, at school and at home, I lagged behind my peers in speed. It's not that I can't do it, it just takes me longer. So I also show up late for things, my attention drifts etc. But I am not diagnosed with ADHD. If anyone in school or has kids in school has any concerns about being slower than your/their peers, get tested by a certified educational psychologist. If I had had the support that I have now I'm in university when I was at school, I know that I would have done better

Omg LOVE that you linked Jess’s video. She’s the best human!!!! Also, speaking as someone with ADHD, you definitely have it. I’ve always thought that. The way you act and move and talk, you’re in the tribe!!

OMG thanks for posting this video. I have Asperger's, and Dyslexia and have all of the problems you mention and it's so inspiring to see a person with the same problems as me to be so successful.

Now I'm always going to imagine Hank's toes dancing quietly in the privacy of his sneakers while he chats with us.

thank you. thank you thank you thank you thank you. I just can't form any thought that isn't thank you right now. my son is 8 and he's been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and adhd and sometimes I feel so discouraged and I hit a wall and I wonder if he will ever master the mindfulness side of it. we just started him on a low dose of medication. and I don't see the change I though I would and I still watch him struggle everyday. it's so scary to not know what is going to happen. I don't want to ever put him in a box and think he's incapable of becoming a successful functioning adult. I can't even put into words how much of a weight you lifted off my shoulders hearing that you struggle with sensory processing issues as well. Seeing a grown, functioning, successful person talking about this is exactly what I needed right now. thank you so much for talking about this. thank you for giving me hope for my son's future and relighting the drive I have to get him the accommodations and tools that he needs to thrive. I'm so excited for him to watch this video! also while I'm at it. thank you for nerd con and for stopping and saying hello to me on your way out of the hotel. I'm sure you were exhausted. thank you thank you thank you.

Love that more people are talking about ADHD. It is because of videos like this that I am now seeking out help at the age of thirty. So, thanks.

This is so on point my friend. I've been on the journey to really knowing myself and what my brain needs. It's been great.

I love the fact that the internet has so much info about ADHD now because people have gone from "you are clumsy, easily distracted, forgetful, desperate, take forever reading, kind of rude and always start stuff but never finish it" to just asking "do you gave ADHD?"

sorry for your struggles... glad things are manageable... thanks for sharing

I wanted to come back a bit later and say thank you for this video. I was diagnosed with ADD in 2015 ( I was 14 almost 15) and I didn’t really know how it was affecting me other than I was spacey (which I already knew) but is has grown more of an issue over time (which is maybe why It was diagnosed so late). After watching this video I visited “How to ADHD” and it has helped me so much. I know understand how my brain works and I can manage my ADD so much better now. This one video (and the many helpful videos on how to ADHD) have honestly changed my life in a way that I never would have known it could be changed. Thank you so much for being open about mental disorders and learning disabilities. You really are helping people.

Thank you for sharing your experience Hank. I was recently diagnosed with inattentive ADHD/ADD at 46. One large part of my getting diagnosed was How to ADHD's UKposts channel. What you described is basically my ADHD life. I also identify as an HSP, so sensory overload is definitely a thing and now that I know more about this stuff I identify with being along spectrums of Dyscalculia, Dispraxia, Aphantasia and Alexithymia. I would not have done as well without a father who was an educator. I still have a lot self-esteem issues and underlying trauma from being different. Getting diagnosed helped immensely as it changed how I felt about myself - there's finally an explanation and I am not alone.

I am an Autistic adult (diagnosed between 5 and 6) and relate to so much of this, especially the inability to sit still and irrational irritation when I'm interrupted. Like many people with ASD I have SPD too. Thanks for touching on some of these topics, they should definitely be talked about more rather than hidden. It's part of you that makes you you! :)

Neuro Diversity is as important to our planet as Bio Diversity. Just saying!

thank you, I've watched many things you have put on youtube....crash course is my favorite...I love the approach you use. it took me along time to figure out adhd without medication and I have a lot more to learn about how it helps and ways it can be a problem and working to overcome the shortcomings by mainly accepting them and having people or a habit to help me...it's been rough. I'm 33 and it took time. anyhow I wanted to thank you for the topic of adhd because it's something that people need to talk about because it's a difference in thinking not a difference in ability and since we can't explain or see what's going on in our own heads or those in others it makes it almost impossible to relate (hard enough to relate if you grow up in different enviroments). well thank you again for your work and your teams ability to make a difference that will shape the future.

Yaaaaaas I LOVE How To ADHD!!! I found her a month or two ago and just mainlined her videos. She makes me feel so much better about the things that frustrate me about myself. And it's really cool to know that you struggle with these issues as well (especially the being on time to things, I struggled with that for a looooooooooong time and finally had to teach myself how to be on time). It makes me feel like anything is possible. :)

I don't have ADHD but I just get distracted a lot, and I think A LOT slower. I'm always the last one to finish an in class assignment in class and I have a 504 that gives me extended time on tests. I know I'm not stupid, but it just frustrates sometimes that I can't process things as quickly as my classmates can.

Hank, I can't ever remember not having SPD. I remember the therapy I would go to when I was 4, and then I was 6, and then was I was 10. I remember that I used to be so overwhelmed by just the clothes that I would wear, I could shut down completely. It was only a year ago that I finally eased into wearing my first pair of jeans because of this, when I was fifteen. And it certainly doesn't help that I live in Houston, where the summer heat was my number one enemy. It means a lot to me, even if no one sees this comment, that you made this video. Because just like I can remember every obstacle SPD has handed to me, I don't ever remember anyone that I knew that had it, and that was probably the hardest part. This video would have changed a lot for me as a kid, when I was ostracized from my peers because of everything, especially knowing that an idol of mine faced the same challenges. And even if I can't go back and change my past, I know that this video will reach someone like me who needs it now. Thank you.

Sensory processing disorder!! I'm so glad to hear someone mention it. I have it, and it has defined my life for as long as I can remember, but so few people know what it is. Thank you for making this video!

Thank you for making this. I always wondered if you have it because people always complain about how fast you talk. But I love it because it is the same speed as my brain so I don't get bored in the middle of your sentences. I have ADHD and I would love to welcome you to the tribe.

I have my assessment for ADHD this Sunday! Awesome video Hank!

Yes

Thank you very much for making this video, my son was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder late last year. While I know my family and I can deal with it and help him figure out how to work himself, my wife has been very depressed wondering if he would still be able to lead good/full life. This video has brought her a little bit of hope, which is always needed. Thanks again, Phil

I really appreciate how you guys are open about mental health

Oh my goodness this video just helped me immensely! I clicked on it because I was very certain that Hank can't possibly think he has ADHD, so I wanted to see what he was really going to talk about. But when he started describing the characteristics of those with ADHD, I couldn't help but notice he was also describing ME perfectly. These are some things that friends of mine tease me about constantly, and I thought they were just my personality traits. Now I have taken some online tests, and scored through the roof on every one of them. How can I be 45 years old and not realize I may have this??? This may just have changed my life completely. I already feel the pieces of the puzzle are coming into place, and I have been struggling immensely with these pieces my whole life and couldn't figure out why things are so hard for me. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to discuss getting actual tests done to confirm. Even if the tests don't show ADHD, I have already done some reading on how to work with ADHD, and ways to manage it, and will be implementing them in my life. Who knew that one little 4 minute video on UKposts could change my thinking so dramatically. Thank you Hank for all you do!!!

when hank mention how to adhd, im so happy, because i also liked her channel 😁

Thank you so much! I have ADHD and was diagnosed when I was 12. I didn't know about that channel How to ADHD but I've gone and watched a couple of videos and I'm in love.

I have sensory processing disorder and adhd and its so wonderful to hear someone first of all mention sensory processing disorder and even talk about how it can connect with adhd. Love your commentary on this thank you for always using your platform this way!

TLDR: acknowledging and seeking help with mental disorders is not weakness and medication prescribed by a good therapist will likely only help you. I was diagnosed with ADHD about 10 years ago. I initially went on medication and then stopped because I didn't like the side-effects. For years I struggled with all of the most common effects of ADHD and developed increasingly crazy coping strategies. It wasn't until about 2 years ago when I went back into grad school and was working full time in a math focused career that I finally felt defeated and went back for therapy and medication. I felt defeated by and sad that I couldn't just get by like everyone else. I had always felt smart and had gotten by enough to function but it seemed apparent that I just wasn't good enough anymore. It was stressing me out and making me depressed. Almost immediately after beginning the therapy sessions and medication I experienced a near complete turn around. My memory and attentiveness improved, my fidgeting almost completely stopped, I was able to keep a schedule, it was easier for me to focus and I was less annoyed when my focus was broken. It was like night and day. While medication isn't the answer for everyone, my life has SUBSTANTIALLY improved because of it and I wish I could go back and see what my undergraduate degree would have been like with it. If anyone is questioning whether or not their ADHD is "serious" enough for medication, please go talk to a mental health provider.

i have HD-ADHD. It's difficult for me to focus, but when i do the detail i retain is INCREDIBLE!

Hi Hank! Thank you so much for this video! I do not have ADHD, but I do have generalized anxiety disorder. For me, managing my anxiety really has been about figuring out how to live in my own head. I do take medication, which helps, but I also have figured out what situations I can handle and when I do need help. Taking the steps to figure out how I can function the best without my anxiety taking over has been really difficult, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. It can be exhausting to live in my own head, but now I know that other people can relate. I'm glad you shared this with us.

I feel ya bro! I cried watching this. Thank you for sharing!

I remember being a kid and getting tested for something as a kid, but they couldn’t figure it out. But this was before adhd was a specific diagnosis. That being a girl as well. I finally got diagnosed as an adult. In the end nothing really has changed but it’s nice to know I”m not broken, and how I have better coping mechanisms: it’s good to know

Not watching the vlogbrothers for years and then coming back by watching this video hits different (just recently diagnosed adhd things~)

I am very happy that you have come out and spoke about your ADD/ADHD. Living within one's on brain can make you see the world differently, and others are not entirely sure on how to approach you. I'm glad that I am finding more people that come up with different strategies and ways to cope with the "disorder" and turn it into an advantage. 👌🏾

Hank, thank you for talking about your sensory processing disorder. I have had the same issue for most of my life. I used to be able to feel the seams in my socks and wouldn't want to wear them because of it, and put playground rocks in my mouth (gross, I know) because that was the only part of my body that didn't feel overwhelmed. Until I was in high school, I often had crying fits because I didn't want to get dressed because my clothes were uncomfortable to me. To know that people I look up to and admire as much as you and John are dealing with, and have gotten through, similar mental health disorders as myself makes it so much easier to cope with because you guys show me how much it can get better. Thank you for that, and DFTBA ❤

I don't have ADHD, but I do have learning disabilities, specifically dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dystonia. This is pretty spot on to my experiences dealing with my conditions. I was pretty luck to have accommodations coming up through the school system so I could demonstrate what I was learning and what I could do even if it took me longer then a regular class poired. Accesses to assistive technology was key.

This comment comes to you in 4 parts 1. Hank you can still get tested for ADHD just to have it confirmed. 2. you probably do have ADHD 3. HOLY SMOKES YOU MENTIONED ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHANNELS 4. cute Hankler fishes!

I discovered your crash course videos and my first thought was “OH MY GOSH THESE ARE DESIGNED FOR ADHD BRAINS” We didn’t know I was autistic and have adhd until my late 20s when a lifetime of trying to do things and be places that weren’t suited to my brain in ways that also weren’t suited to my brain (and the crushing feeling of never living up to my potential that accompanied those circumstances) finally broke me I seriously seriously appreciate you being aware of how your circumstances have been part of why you’ve thrived, and I’m so glad your amazing brain helped you find wonderful things to do that were a good fit for you!

It finally makes sense why I can actually learn all the things when you're doing the videos....thank you, Hank, for being you!

This video has me thinking back to a topic that's always rattled around my brain - where is the line between our perceived mental deficiencies and our personalities? As someone who was raised in a Christian religious environment and close with people who have special needs, I always wondered what they would be like in heaven. Are they going to be the same person I know here? Or will they be at their "true" potential, released from the limits of their emotional/intellectual deficiencies? This gets to the heart of our understanding of ourselves abstractly and how we perceive ourselves as somehow within our bodies and our brains but also not of our bodies and our brains. What also can't be forgotten is that almost all of these perceived deficiencies are reflections of a lack of ability in an area that we value culturally, not some objectively quantifiable inability. They also are always juxtaposed with a timeline of expectations that say you should be at X point at Y time, so that even if you can gain the skills you're perceived to lack, if you haven't done it by Y time, it's still seen as a deficiency. There are many challenges we all face and it would be a mistake to say that whoever we are at a given moment is all we should try to be. As you said in your video, you've gotten where you are because the challenges you faced were acknowledged and addressed. When one door of opportunity was closed, you weren't forced to stay still but instead were helped to find another opportunity. But the line between pushing ourselves to be better and dehumanizing each other for our challenges is so razor thin. We will always fall short when trying to define ourselves in our vast complexities with words that are designed for specificity. We are tasked with understanding ourselves and each other for everything we've been and are and will be simultaneously, even though our understanding of any of those things on their own even is naturally tenuous. So thanks Hank for sharing your experiences and understanding of yourself, because I think this sort of conversation is essential for improving our understanding of our collective existences in this strange, wonderful, misleading, and endlessly complex state of being.

Hi hank!!! I have adult ADHD (probably as a child too but was just diagnosed two years ago, I'm 21) and this video meant a lot to me. I too have found some things in the difference of my brain that i love and help me. Would you ever consider an official diagnosis and/or medication? It helped me a lot and it made possibe for me to start med school. Love from Colombia. Memento mori

3 years ago, this video helped me find the channel How to ADHD, which has really helped me come to terms with my own ADHD diagnosis. The many people that support that channel have helped encourage me, and also have led to me having the confidence to get a full time job. A mix of adapting my environment and trying to adapt/cope with my mind has really helped me get to the point I'm at. So, thanks for this, Hank.

The topic of this video strangely transcended itself to me... I deal with Anxiety and the things that Hank went though as a child and growing, related to me and my own issues very much. I am so thankful for all the help I had gotten from my family to deal with these issues and what Hank had said surprisingly resonated with me!🙂

This reminds me of yesterday's DH&J livestream where John kept getting annoyed at you for being distracted.

In response to what you said in the description: I was scared of a diagnosis becoming an excuse, like you. I still often struggle to find the balance between acknowledging what the ADD makes more difficult and taking responsibility for my own (in)actions. But getting diagnosed was maybe the biggest relief of my life. I used to believe I was willfully lazy, irresponsible, and rude, and I hated myself so much for it. If, like me, you're racking up guilt from your potentially ADHD behaviors and it's wearing down on your self-esteem, a diagnosis might be a nice assurance that it's not all your fault.

Thank you for sharing! Always love your videos but this was so personal and impactful and relating to my own situation.

I feel this Hank, all of this. I've never been diagnosed, as in my youth dyslexia was mentioned but quickly dismissed and my IQ tests basically silenced anyone who thought I was challenged in that department. I'm often way up in my head somewhere and I struggle to stick with schedules and tasks quite often. I see you Hank, and I'm proud of what you've accomplished.

I got distracted halfway through this video by trying to figure out which Terry Pratchett books were on the shelf. ... Which is mildly amusing given the topic at hand.

On one hand, a clickbait-ish title for people who 'know' you. On the other hand, 100% on the follow-through. A+

I'm glad to hear someone else feels that flash of rage when their hyper focus is disrupted. I especially get it while reading, and for some reason people LOVE to interrupt you while you are reading. There have been times when it was everything I could do to NOT throw the book I was reading at someone just purely on instinct.

I’m 21 and got diagnosed with ADHD about five/six months ago. Getting that diagnosis that I had been needing since I was a child felt so validating, especially with being so depressed through my teenage years (I do have depression as well, but I feel like if my ADHD was treated properly I would have been MUCH happier and I would have done way better in school). Having that validation and learning to live in your own head/learning to accept that your brain works differently is such an important thing.