I swear I was just thinking of this as a topic. We need people to understand ADHD isn’t just running around full of energy.

I think it’s a big problem that in ADHD awareness, people only seem to talk about lack of focus and not the insane myriad of ways it manifests in your life.

i wish they had talked about the social/emotional aspect of adhd and the hypersentitivity and hyperfocus that people experience causes that is the part of adhd that doesnt get talked about as much....

The subtle adhd showing in these guys are gold

ADHD isn’t becoming more common, there’s just more awareness now. However, it is still under-diagnosed.

I feel like the questions for this were kind of lacking. It focused more on the medication and diagnosis aspect but not as much on the social and emotional aspects of ADHD. It’s not just a burden - there is also hyperfocus and the fact that I can develop interests in so many things.

I first got diagnosed with ADHD when I was 27, when I found out I was very mad, I have been told that I was just being lazy, making excuses and just need to focus. That cost me grades, dropped out from education, mental health decline and alcoholism before I was diagnosed.

The worst part about having ADHD is that most videos on youtube have interesting comments written.

I don't like how they didn't talk about how ADHD as a neurological issue, and not just a "social construct." It is a neurological chemical imbalance which is why medicine remedies those deficiencies by adding norepinephrine to regulate our blood pressure, increase arousal/attention etc. Unmedicated, I will literally do so many things that I will crash, and when I do one *thing* for the day, I will get so exhausted that I will need to go back to sleep because my neurons are firing off incorrectly. It is also feeling incredibly anxious around people, and being hyper aware of what you're saying,.. It is even losing your temper and getting SO SO angry, perhaps violent, because of the emotion dysregulation. It's also feeling really overstimulated by loud noises, smells, certain textures! Also.. the hyperfixation on our special interests while neglecting our bodily needs to eat, sleep, rest.. for hours. Also don't even get me started on being able to clean your room, or to pick up after yourself. It's trying as hard as you can to be tidy, but getting frustrated that you forget things! IT is SO MUCH MORE than not being able to focus at school.

ADHD awareness is so bad that some people with ADHD don’t even know they have it and if they do they’re not even aware of all the possible symptoms.

“Society is trying to make us more productive than what is humanly possible” yes!!!!! I can not agree more!!!!!

As a woman who just got diagnosed with Adhd in her late teens I think the first question is kinda interesting. 🤔 Did I know that it was Adhd? No, I didn't match the stereotype of the little disobedient boy who sucks at school and no one ever questioned anything. Did I feel like there's something wrong with me, like I'm weird and didn't fit in for quite a long time, which lead to more comorbid issues? Yeah, definitely

The idea that some of these people have picked the wrong side when asked the question, but got more information and doubled back, is like, the most relatable ADHD thing, I could ever see.

you should do an OCD version. I feel like ocd is one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses, yet one of the most debilitating. I would love to be apart it as a lifelong ocd sufferer

It’s so unseen, and families push away from anything they see as a “defect”, that ADHD goes unseen or not thought of. It materializes visually for so many people as being “lazy”, “a brat”, or “not smart”.

i was lucky enough to get diagnosed when i was 6, but i still struggled because my mother wanted me to deal with it without treatment and medication. i love this adhd representation, i just wished they talked in depth about the hyperfocus, hypersensitivity, etc. this felt very surface level

Please make a video with people that have ‘invisible disease.’ Ex) Lupus, Crohn’s, type 1 diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis, etc…. Its also important for people to talk about these diseases and they are real even if you can’t physically see it on someone! Patients with invisible diseases are usually very isolated because of it. And theres actually a lot of people with invisible diseases. Please be kind to everyone. I was always judged because i’m in my 20’s and physically look normal and health; but i have Lupus and am in constant pain. Lupus attacks my joints and muscles. I get looks for taking a seat and not giving it to someone older, but its only if i in enough pain that i need to sit for a bit.

Also, Jubilee- I would love to see an episode on OCD! It has run my entire life. It really can be a miserable disorder to live with and it’s sooo misunderstood.

The girl who talked about she did totally fine until college basically told my story. I also didn’t get diagnosed until I was 30. I was a model student until college because thats when you have to manage your OWN schedule: every minute of the day is not planned for you. I went from an honors student to a girl who dropped classes and got her first D ever in her life. My dorm room was such a mess I wouldn’t dare subject a roommate to that : and so I became isolated, depressed, and only barley functional. I went to therapy. I went to doctors. Nobody diagnosed me because I was “smart”

i was diagnosed with ADHD when i was 20 (junior year of college) and i relate so much. in high school i was a 4.0 student w hella extra curriculars, but procrastinated a lot when it came to getting work done. when i finally hit college and got my first Cs and Ds, it felt like it was something WRONG with me. when you finally learn that theres nothing wrong with you and that you learn differently, it's such a blessing. i was able to understand myself better and know what works for me in addition to medications. i went from having a 2.6 GPA sophomore year to a 3.9 my senior year, so if anyone reading this is in a similar situation, you're not alone!!! it's also a huge reason i wanna become a psychiatrist too, bc i grew up w immigrant parents (which usually do not believe in mental health). it was more difficult to figure out what was going on with me bc i never had the confidence to discuss it

i love that there's people switching sides in this episode and that really hasn't happened in other episodes. it really goes to show that us people with ADHD are indecisive lmao (i'm not trying to stereotype btw i just really related to the indecisiveness of this)

As someone with ADHD, all of this resonated with me to the point where I'm in tears. I can wholly relate to the depression that came from people calling you lazy, useless, failure, impatient. You can imagine what that could do to a person, having to listen to that during the first 26 years of your life. Things that my parents, faculties, coworkers have said, have stuck and stung, till to this day.

“I didn’t know my brain could be so quiet” SAME

The fact that they started walking before the "3, 2, 1..." Was so ADHD

Finally a video on ADHD, I’ve been waiting for this! I feel It’s important to point out that this video barely scratches the surface of what having ADHD is like. It affects all areas of a persons life, not just academically. Those with ADHD also have an increased risk of addiction, trauma and ptsd, anxiety and depression, as well as a large number of comorbidities. Not to mention a decreased life span compared to those without the condition! I went 20 years undiagnosed and it wreaked havoc on my life. It really really pains me when people don’t understand how serious adhd can be and they assume it’s nothing more than having a few silly little traits like forgetfulness, hyperactivity or poor focus.

Interesting that they did not mention drug abuse. Among adults being treated for alcohol and substance abuse, the rate of ADHD is about 25%.

When I try to explain it to my parents... they are like. "ADHD?? what is that? another silly excuse for failing and being lazy?"

Sometimes, I think about everything I could do and who I could be if I didn’t have ADHD. I’ve accepted it, and I know it’s an important part of me and I try to be grateful, but it’s hard not to mourn a version of me that wouldn’t have to constantly struggle to do the simplest things. Does anyone else feel this way? 🥺

when i got diagnosed with several mental health issues at varying times in my life, my family was less than supportive. my friends were more supportive than my family was. the type of support system somebody has can be the make it or break it for some people.

yas!!! ADHD Represent!! Thanks so much Jubilee!!

You should've specified what kind of ADHD each person has (i.e. hyperactive/inattentive/both) and explored some of those differences

I have ADHD Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, im rlly glad learning difficulties are getting some more attention its sad when ppl dont understand

I got diagnosed after a really bad semester in school and the psychiatrist was like “woah, how’ve you been coping all this time 😦”. I was disappointed in my family but coming from a developing country I couldn’t blame them too much. I was mostly relieved to experience focus and motivation. I told my parents and they said “my son does not have ADD, my son does not have mental health issues” and that kinda hurt. To this day I’m still in therapy and medicating my ADD without my parents’ knowledge and I’m crushing it. They’re proud, I’m happy, and I’ll carry this lie to the grave lol

Such a lovely group of compassionate people

ADHD is definitely over diagnosed. It is not just about having a hard time focusing. It has to be to the degree that you can't manage your life. Not only that, but it is also disrupting your ability to succeed at school or work. Furthermore, it has to negatively affect your relationships with other people in all areas of your life. ADHD also has a high degree of comorbidity with mental illnesses such as chronic depression, autism, dyslexia, eating disorders etc.

I have ADHD and whilst I don't believe it'll stop me achieving what I want in life, I have found that when I do find it hard to manage I wish other people knew how upsetting it feels. Like it doesn't bother me all the time, but if I'm having a really hard time it gets to me that I'm having to navigate this rough patch in life with a brain that constantly feels like I'm working against it. ADHD can make it feel like youre brain is a car stuck in mud revving and revving at 100mph but just getting nowhere.

I’ve known I have ADHD my whole life. unfortunately the various medications I took as a child caused so many different negative side effects that I resented taking meds and eventually stopped all together around 13. But seeing them answer the question on how much it has changed their lives makes me want to look into a medication that would work for me. I definitely could use some mental clarity in my life 😂

The reason why I got my official diagnosis so late in life is so funny. My mom used to tell me that all of my symptoms were normal and everyone had them and she had them but turns out she just has ADHD

ADHD has affected my entire life... from addiction and eating disorders to depression, to anxiety, to panic attacks. I was medically diagnosed at 19 and now that I'm 21 it feels like I'm always fighting myself every day (even with medication) there's so much to unlearn because it has affected my whole identity and self-esteem. There are endless things that come with ADHD like sensitivity rejection, mood swings, unstabilized relationships, ED's, addiction, poor money management, etc... I'm glad we're able to raise more awareness now, and hopefully, we are able to change the system that is not meant for us. I'm still on the journey of accepting it because to me it has been a curse and as much as I try to go with the flow, it alwasy ends up backfiring and it makes me hate myself even more because sometimes I just wish I had a "normal brain"... it's something that I'm still working on with my therapist. To anyone who feels the same way I do.. you're heard and we are more people struggling with the same problems! love to y'all!

I would love to see those diagnosed with ADHD within the U.S. and the U.K. as the U.K. diagnoses people differently. And how each country treats ADHD- how similar and how different it may be. I did a paper on this in college and always wanna learn more about it. Especially since society and different cultures were discussed in this video

i’m glad to hear these ppl say that adhd doesn’t stop them from accomplishing goals bc i just got diagnosed a few months ago and i just found a medication that works for me. i’m still struggling with the like “why can’t i just do this the way everyone else can!” but it’s nice to see that it’ll get better the more i work *with* my adhd instead of against it

"ADHD is becoming more common" no, it isn't. Yes, it is getting more recognition now due to societal changes, and, with some small margin of error, only the people who actually have it will receive a diagnosis. AK mentioned brain scans, but they're not accurate enough yet to decide whether somebody has or doesn't have ADHD; a clinical evaluation is still always required. On the side, thank you for making a video about ADHD, Jubilee!!

I love, relate and appreciate the impulse to move immediately after the question vs remembering / paying attention / waiting for the count down

I just got diagnosed with ADHD, so many things started making sense once I found out.

I was diagnosed with adhd three days ago, I questioned myself so much because of the whole TikTok thing because I didn’t want to just jump on the bandwagon of “oh maybe I have this” but my bf was diagnosed at 3 which is VERY early and he said he experiences everything I was describing (he doesn’t take medication for it). I was also diagnosed by someone who has adhd. Even though all signs pointed to me having it, it’s still crazy to think about. I am 21 and so glad I finally asked for help, I started taking medication to help and it honestly has made a WORLD of difference.

It was beautiful to end with AK’s thoughts. My dad was diagnosed with ADHD, and now in his 50s and remarried, he doesn’t want me to go through what he went through. I don’t have ADHD, but I have Autism which even before ASD spectrum was always compared to be similar

I got diagnosed with ADHD a couple of months ago along and mild OCD recently. As the years go by it feels like it's getting worse and when I reached out to my family they didn't get it. Luckily my school decided to have a therapist on campus and thats how I got to try my antidepressants out. I was nervous and scared because of all that I heard about them. My friends really helped me and still give me the support I couldn't get from my family and for that I'm super greatful. The meds really help make me feel okay and I haven't this genuinely okay in a long time it gave me a lot to think about. My words to people who have unsupportive families is that there's always a community out there that will accept you for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your trusted friends or from a community that understands your struggles. There's hope to feel better all we have to do is keep moving forward, one step at a time. Take care

I’ve been told/ diagnosed my whole life with adhd. Tuning out is not a disorder. It’s a coping mechanism when stress is too much.

This needed to be like three times as long. Was awesome nonetheless. Thanks, Jubilee people, for doing what you do.

I was diagnosed with adhd in 1st grade, which is nice that I’ve always known why im different but I had to take Ritalin for 4 years. It literally made me starve myself and it took away all of my personality. I was so fucning drugged up. Unless my kids asked for meds, i would never ever put them through that.

Please do another one with everyone just talking or like talking to just a bunch of people with adhd!!! It would be so fun I just wanna see how everyone interacts and all the types of people 💗 It would be really helpful to go into emotional differences and how that affects everyone I have a lot of experiences that I wanna know how much others relate to!

I really appreciate this conversation. Some of the points I think about a lot is how so many of the worlds diagnoses are not done through brain scans or analyzing our individual brains, and also how the majority of our current society is glued to these high levels of dopamine from our devices. I highly recommend reading into studies done about dopamine detoxes and related.

Even though I don't have ADHD, it's really interesting to learn about how they think about it.

I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until I was 28 (so earlier this year) after about 9 months of exploring the diagnosis with a therapist and doctor. It's been pretty clarifying and validating to see how this has been a major factor in a lot of my struggles in life, and a bit of a whirlwind trying to learn how to manage. I'm on adderall now but even with that I've struggled getting myself to even look for work when on the verge of homelessness lol. I haven't had that "this is how normal people's brains work?!" moment yet. Didn't help that for five years before being diagnosed with ADHD I was on sedating medication for anxiety, which is the complete opposite of what you want to help with ADHD.

super glad to watch this episode!! recently figured out i could have adhd at 18 this year, I'm on meds and planning to do my assessment in Septemeber. At first, I was a little devasted because I still didn't know where the line between being lazy or not trying hard enough and just my adhd. I felt like knowing i had adhd could take away some of my accountability to be better. So far, it's just made me more self aware and understand that I need more help than i think. After years of being told that I was lazy and that I just need to focus, I think learning this info was very healing for me. To know that I'm trying my best and I do care it's just I learn and think differently and this prevents me from the results. Acessible learning services at my college also has really helped me out as well.

As someone in graduate school to become a therapist, this is so helpful for me to be able to better understand experiences of my future clients. Thank you for this Jubilee! I love these types of videos. So educational! Also, I would love to see a “Do all therapists think the same” video including psychologists, psychiatrists, and LPCs/CPCSs (what I’m studying to be).

I struggled because my mother refused to see that I needed to be diagnosed. Although she got herself and my brother diagnosed. I also struggle with anxiety, depression, and avoidance personality disorder. It was so so hard growing up. If I could tell ANYONE something, is if you think that you need mental help, DO NOT listen to anyone but licensed professionals. If i didn't listen to my family or I had more of a supportive family I 100% believe I would have been so much better off earlier in life. I tried everything that wasn't medication, and it wasn't working for me. Took me 30 years to get the help I needed.

the way they couldn't wait till the countdown lmaaao ! super relate !

Probably the best episode I’ve seen in a while. I loved it.

how they kept wanting to move immediatly after a promt n forgetting to wait for the countdown collectively 😂🎉. this was so wholesome. best group 🥳.

I love the way this episode of Spectrum represents people with ADHD. Wise, strong, capable, and resilient 💪

Excellent episode! Do one for people with OCD.

My parents don’t exactly understand mental health, and I think that I might have ADHD. I really enjoy writing but I always start an idea and then move on to another and so on. I’ve never really finished a story idea, and my parents push me to finish one and it’s hard for me. I also struggle a li with sitting still, or what to do with my hands but I’m not always hyperactive. I found this video extremely informative and for everyone else out their who is struggling find what works best for you. I find if I listen to music or an audiobook while working I can focus a little bit better, but see what works for you.

I was diagnosed at 25 which is difficult because prior to your diagnosis you don't understand why you're so different from everyone else. It's been hard but I wouldn't change a thing. It's given me a drive and "prove you wrong" mentality that's the reason for most of my success. It's the reason I have to work harder than those around me and is the reason I need to practice more discipline than most.

Peak adhd humor them moving before the countdown starts

It was interesting to hear the different ages that ppl found out they had it - from little kid to mid 20s! My bro was diagnosed in 4th grade thanks to a teacher who recommended testing, but before that there was just a constant struggle with hw, fights between our parents, it was rlly bad at home & the diagnosis kinda saved our family. Overall knowledge is power & once u know what’s going on it becomes way easier to manage it for the most part

I’m so glad that they made this video. I was diagnosed with ADHD during May of this year. I was a senior in high school and I had and have been struggling in school my entire life. It really sucked because I have shown symptoms from such a young age and have continued to. My school would give me detentions for talking out of turn, getting up without asking, and would have regular meetings with my parents and teachers about my academic issues. For the first, yesterday actually, I took medicine for the first time and felt almost at peace (no racing thoughts) and I actually stuck to the plan I had made for the day. I was shocked! I mean like they said, I was like, this is how people who don’t have it live 😂. My mom feels super guilty for not getting me tested when I was younger because she knows I was struggling and have been FOREVER. But she says she felt really bad because my cousin and I both showed similar symptoms but he was diagnosed and I wasn’t because my dad refused to believe that his daughter has “issues”. I think one of the biggest issues people with ADHD encounter (I’m not speaking for everyone just those who relate) is actually the school system. Its built for people who fit a very specific academic lifestyle and it is not fair at all to anyone with a disability. Part of the reason I didn’t do great in school was because I had so many teachers tell me I wasn’t smart enough or they would just put me in tutoring thinking that would solve my struggles. I was bullied in middle school because I couldn’t spell (I have dyslexia as well and a lpd) and that I was hyper or because I was always in “trouble”. And now my confidence is completely ruined even thought I know I’m intelligent. People really to be educated in the topic of mental disabilities because its sad to see people struggle even thought they could do it with ease with just a little guidance.

i am very glad this video was made i think it gives people such a bigger chance to see how vastly different ppl experience adhd, same with the autism one. makes me feel very seen very appreciative

I don’t know when I was diagnosed exactly, but I know that I was diagnosed early in my life. My guess is sometime before the age of 10. The reason my mom realized something was up was because of school. The teacher said something like “[he] is zoning out in the middle of class” and stuff like that. After my mom brought me to a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ADHD. I would say that I’m lucky that I was diagnosed so early in life.

I have mixed feelings watching this, on one side I can relate and I know that I am not alone and my brain is not broken, but on the other hand, the struggle is very real, and watching this reminds me of how much harder I need to work as opposed to "normal" people.

For my son, his underdeveloped executive functioning was what keyed us into the problem. Unfortunately, hyperactivity and lack of focus are the most common things people associate with ADHD. The social struggles cause a lot more issues for many kids who lack emotional regulation and impulse control. Especially as they move into teenage years and beyond

My daughter was diagnosed at 6, then my husband a few months later at 30. Because of her diagnosis they were more willing to test him. I was tested 3 times from 4-16. Always said no. About 8 months after my husband, my counselor with ADHD said I should get tested. Yep also ADHD at 29. My personality disorder allowed me to hide it much easier. Medication has helped us so so much!

I love that everytime the questions were asked a couple of them wanted to immediatly start walking and then chuckled to themselves when the counting started

From personal experience, I struggled all through elementary and middle school because I couldn’t pay attention and focus, my mom wanted to get me on meds but my dad didn’t let her, when I started taking my medication in highschool I finally felt normal! Also people with ADHD/ADD seem to be a lot more emotional

This is both a needed and informational video. Thank you dearly for sharing this💪

I have be seeking a formal diagnosis for my ADHD for a while now and it’s super comforting to watch this video with people with my problems

I would love to see a cut video about dyslexia !!

That was great and so positive! Let's do one about hypersensitivity. That would be interesting how that differs between gender and age. And it would be so important to fight against the stigma.

i know im a year late on this but as a neuro-typical person with an adhd husband, this is so helpful to me. i know he explains things and talks about it openly, but it's nice to see other people talk about it in a different setting. the different stories and perspectives help a lot.

bro them starting to go to each side before the time is so relatable 😭😭

finally! I have ADHD. I was diagnosed... precisely a year ago. it was life changing and I finally know what's going on with me (after 18 long years). I suspected ADHD since I was 12, because my school psychologist was suspecting it and told us (my parents and I) to go to the doctors, but...my parents never booked an appointment.

This video caught my attention and I love this!

I am struggling with mine. It makes me feel helpless when I tell myself to focus and get it going. I focus for all of 10 seconds and disappear between the cracks of the floors and wash away into s dim lit room full of nothing and everything. I am held prisoner by what feels like someone else in my mind. I am constantly fighting slipping in and out of unconsciousness. It’s not a super power and it won’t be the end of us. One day at a time yall. Be strong and wake up every morning daring yourself to be better. 🙏🏽❤️

That was a very informative and insightful episode, thank you so much guys! As someone with ADHD and no access to proper diagnosis, I'm really glad to learn stuff from perspectives of different ADHD people

amazing video, always gives comfort when u know ur not alone

This content is everything for me. I needed this ♥️

The fact that there wasn't a single question where one of them didn't jump the gun and start moving towards either side before the question was finished, is all we needed to see LOL. I empathize so much because that would have been me. I appreciated this video so much. Thanks!

Super insightful episode! Shoutout to Stephen for the editing on this one, he persevered!

It would have been nice to have a wider age range for this video. I’m 37 and didn’t learn I had ADHD until my thirties.

interesting to hear the perspective of other people with ADHD, I have it myself but I don't feel like it's ever affected me that much.

Shout out to Tidiane for being here. I feel his presence here could possibly help some of his personal, influencer friends to open up more about it on a public platform to help others. He's certainly convinced me to get diagnosed.

i realised about a year ago that i might have ADHD because i had no idea what it even was before then. when i looked more into it everything just started to make sense but my parents did and do still think that ADHD isn't a real thing and is just "laziness" so i never really talk to them about it. it's genuinely so comforting to see more representation about it so thank you so much

I would love a version of this but with OCD

also would have loved to hear about their jobs, their relationships, their view of PROs of adhd

This should have been longer, a lot of people struggle with this & the Q & A might have helped people feel like they are not the only one feeling like this

It's fulfilling to hear people go through the same things as I do and even think the same. Even though there is so much more that can be covered about ADHD, it still was a nice episode.

I think I have ADHD, and I think I got it from my mom who is undiagnosed also. Everytime we try to reach out to a therapist or a psychiatrist something comes up with insurance or her just plainly refusing to admit that “the way she’s always been” is due to ADHD. I’m excited to become an adult so I can take myself to an appointment and get diagnosed-many of my friends with ADHD keep telling me they see themselves in me and that I have similar symptoms as them. I just wish I could have something to lean on when my focus isn’t 100% or my grades are failing.

Thank you Jubilee for finally giving the ADHD community a voice! I feel validated and understood. Thank you 💓

Seeing them all on the disagree side for the question about stopping them achieve their goals made me cry. I’m so happy for all of them getting answers and support and knowing they can all meet their goals. ❤️

This is the most relatable video I’ve ever seen in my whole entire existence and I haven’t even watched most of it yet