ADHD Aha!

Depression, relationships, and the myth of the ADHD “superpower” (Max’s story)


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Max Willey, an expat living in Norway, often found himself overwhelmed by complex tasks as a kid. There were too many moving parts, and his brain was always racing too fast. A teacher thought he might have ADHD. 

But it wasn’t until adulthood that Max was diagnosed “by accident.” He was feeling depressed and was struggling with some relationships. When he sought treatment, he was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression all at once.  

Max felt relieved. And he’s come to see ADHD as a “glorious curse.” It has its downsides — but also allows him to feel and do wonderful things.  

Listen in as Laura and Max unpack this and more.   

To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit the episode page at Understood.

We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at [email protected]

Related resources
  • ADHD and creativity
  • Trouble getting work done is real. Executive function challenges may be the culprit.
  • ADHD and depression

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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ADHD Aha!By Understood.org, Laura Key

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