attending shortfall hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD)is not solely a childhood disorder . Though often diagnosed in children , ADHD can last into adulthood for many masses — including famous actors , instrumentalist , politicians , and other household names .
symptom ofADHD in adultscan include lack of arrangement , trouble prioritizing task , shillyshally , have a knockout clip focusing or trace through on tasks , or offspring with time direction .
Although these symptoms are sometimes toughened to wangle , celebrities go with MBD show that take in proper intervention can help anyone with this condition survive a successful and originative life history . What ’s more , when celebrities talk out about having a mental wellness condition like ADHD , it assist slenderize mark and normalise conversations about genial health , according to theAmerican Psychiatric Association .
NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and comedian Trevor Noah are three public figures who have spoken out about ADHD.
Here are 14 famous person with ADHD who have become role models for others with this mutual condition .
Simone Biles, Olympic Gymnast
The most grace U.S. Olympic gymnast of all metre , Simone Biles , firstwent public about having ADHDin 2016 .
In September of that yr , shortly after the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro , Russian hackers go against the World Anti - Doping Agency ’s database andleaked Biles ’s aesculapian records . It was reveal that Biles takes a prescription drug stimulating medication called methylphenidate ( Ritalin ) — a drug that ’s traditionally banned for manipulation among Olympians unless they receive aesculapian clearance to apply it while contend .
U.S.A. Gymnasticsissued a statement in reception , indicating that Biles had receive a therapeutic - usance exemption for her medication and had not violated any drug - testing regulations while competing .
Trevor Noah, Comedian and TV Show Host
Trevor Noah , former host ofThe Daily Show , opened up about his genial wellness on60 Minutes . “ Well , I think over the twelvemonth , what I ’ve get to get wind , thanks to some great therapist , is mydepressionis make by a severe level of ADHD , ” Noah told interviewer Lesley Stahl .
As for how have both weather affect his daily life : “ So for myself , it means that if I ’m not careful in how I sleep , how I eat , how I — how I manage my routine , I can become overwhelmed and it can just feel like the whole worldly concern is just too large to bear , ” he told Stahl .
Like Noah , many people with ADHD may have coexisting mental wellness condition , such as depression , other learning disability , substance ill-usage , andanxiety disorder , grant to theNational Institute of Mental Health .
Zach Wilson, NFL Player
ADHD hunt in Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson ’s family . More than half of his aunts , uncles , and grandparent on his mother ’s side have the circumstance , Wilson toldDeseret News .
First name as a small fry , Wilson pronounce his ADHD made focalise on his college course challenging . “ I taste firmly , but it ’s a conflict for me because of the tending deficit , ” Wilson toldDeseret News .
But , with football , it ’s the opposition . He can focalise intensely on the sport for hour at a time . “ When it comes to football game , I can do it all Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , ” the former New York Jets quarterback toldDeseret News .
What Wilson described is likely a phenomenon call hyperfocus . normally considered an ADHD symptom , hyperfocus involves being able to concentre on a stir task or activity so intensely that it blocks out everything else around you , perCleveland Clinic .
Adam Levine, Singer and Musician
In apiece he write forADDitude Magazinein December 2019 , Maroon 5 ’s lead-in singer , Adam Levine , described his experiences with ADHD . “ It was hard for me to sit down , sharpen , and get schoolwork done , ” Levine wrote . “ My parents were patient and helped me , along with my Doctor of the Church , to move forrard with a treatment architectural plan that work . ”
Then , as an grownup , when Levine’sADHD symptomslimited his ability to concentre and follow through on committal to writing and recording euphony , he conk back to his MD , who confirmed he still had hyperkinetic syndrome as an adult .
Now , the“Girls Like You”singer aims to raise cognizance of adult ADHD . “ If you were diagnosed with ADD as a kid , you might still have it now , ” Levine wrote . “ hyperkinetic syndrome is n’t a bad matter , and you should n’t palpate different from those without ADHD . Remember that you are not alone . There are others going through the same thing . ”
Justin Timberlake, Singer and Songwriter
In an interview withCollider.com , the multiple Grammy and Emmy prize – winning vocaliser , songwriter , record manufacturer , and actor affirm he has grownup ADHD along withobsessive - compulsive upset ( OCD ) . This was only after interviewer Steve Weintraub noticed Timberlake adjusting record-keeper that were just put on the table in front of him and need him if he has the type of OCD “ where you have to fix everything . ”
“ I have OCD mixed with ADD , ” Timberlake told Weintraub . “ You try living with that . ” ( Attention shortfall disorder [ ADD ] — a strain of ADHD characterized by symptoms of inattention and distractibility — is now bed as ADHD ) .
Since then , Timberlake has n’t speak on his conditions or how they impact his daily life . But having the two disorders together has n’t stop his achiever . As mentioned , many with ADHD may have co - occurring mental health conditions .
Mark Ruffalo, Actor and Film Producer
Perhaps best known for playing Bruce Banner / Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving-picture show , Mark Ruffalo lives with ADHD , as well asdyslexiaand impression , that go bad undiagnosed as a child .
“ One of the thing that was always very difficult for me was grade shoal . feel like I was strange and unique and freakish . I did n’t feel like I fit in anywhere , ” Ruffalo toldChild Mind Institute .
His advice to his younger ego ? “ There ’s assist and that there are ways to deal with it and to pull off it and to overcome it , ” he told Child Mind Institute .
Dave Grohl, Singer and Musician
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl break in 2020 that he ’d been diagnosed with ADHD as a kid .
“ I hate to break it to you , but I was a tremendous scholar , ” Grohl said in a YouTube video calledIn Defense of Our Teachers . “ Each day , I desperately waited for the final Alexander Melville Bell to ring so that I could be released from the confines of my stuffy , windowless classroom and would run home to my guitar . ”
" It was no fault of the Fairfax public school system , bear in mind you . It did the best it could , ” he said . “ I was just obstinately disengaged , obturate by a raging casing of ADD , and an insatiable desire to bet music . ”
He said that , although he try out his best to sharpen on his schooling , he ultimately dropped out of school in eleventh degree to follow his dreams of becoming a professional touring instrumentalist . “ Not advised , ” Grohl said in the video . “ I left behind countless miss opportunities . ”
Michael Phelps, Retired Olympic Swimmer
Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps , who retired in 2016 as the most adorn Olympian of all meter , learned to manage his puerility ADHD and turn his hyperactivity into a strength during early adulthood .
His mother , Debbie Phelps , said that his hyperactivity was notice by his teacher before he was diagnosed with minimal brain damage at age 9 , according to an consultation withADDitude cartridge clip , published in 2021 . As a result , he began accept stimulant medicament , which seemed to assist him focus in schoolhouse . After two years , he asked to stop taking it , concord to an interview withThe New York Times .
Debbie , also an pedagog , then helped her Word learn the ability of routine through participating in various athletics , including competitive swimming . Debbie say swimming take into account him to release his free energy in the kitty .
As an adult , Phelps is focused on fatherhood and genial health protagonism . “ I imagine the biggest affair for me , once I find that it was hunky-dory to utter to someone and seek help , I think that ’s something that has change my life forever,”he toldPeoplein April 2017 . “ Now I ’m able to live life to its replete . ”
Solange Knowles, Singer and Songwriter
Singer Solange Knowles said that she was diagnosed with grownup ADHD by two doctors before believing that ADHD was a real diagnosis , perBlackDoctor.org .
Knowles , who now identifies as disabled , say in aNews24 articlethat after she accepted her diagnosis , she started see the normality of hyperkinetic syndrome symptoms in Hollywood . “ The symptoms seem to implement to everyone around me in the industry : loss of memory , starting something and not finish it , ” say the “ Cranes in the Sky ” singer .
In December 2017 , she was recognized byRespectAbilityas a role modeling for African American performer with disability .
Ty Pennington, TV Show Host
The award - winning renown host ofExtreme Makeover : Home Editionhas babble out openly about his puerility with undiagnosed ADHD and how go on the ripe medicinal drug alter his life . Pennington toldAccessthat he was a “ mess academically ” and “ extremely disruptive ” during his childhood .
“ Back then , they did n’t even know what to call it , ” he later toldHuffPost . Finally , at long time 17 , he was diagnose with ADHD .
Pennington , who played soccer in college , told Access he was n’t on the button “ stoke ” about start medication for a genial wellness upset . But once he started , the first thing he noticed was that he saw the association football game in a different way , and it all come together .
Pennington tell apart HuffPost he discover a psychiatrist and claim medicinal drug . He also raises awareness about the signs of ADHD in children and living well with ADHD as an adult . “ Even if you ’re on medication , you still have to treat your body properly and take guardianship of yourself . The approximation that it go away or you grow out of it is n’t true , ” he told Huffpost .
James Carville, Political Commentator
The political operative turn renown TV reviewer has made his own experience with grownup - onset ADHD public . Carville toldChildren and Adults with Attention - Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( CHADD)how the fast pace of politics complement his ability and “ razor - keen focal point . ” As mention , people with ADHD can become hyperfocused or deeply and intensely immersed in a job , destination , or idea , according toCHADD .
As Carville shows , this is n’t necessarily a negative thing . He was also capable to channelize his focus into completing his knight bachelor of science degree in 1970 and juris Dr. level in 1973 from Louisiana State University , and writing the best - selling memoirAll ’s Fair : Love , War and Running for President .
Carville has evoke cognizance about ADHD by give oral communication for organizations like CHADD .
Pete Rose, Former MLB Player
Another celebrity who has made his adult ADHD public is baseball game superstar Pete Rose . In his bookMy Prison Without Bars , Rose talks about his battle with ADHD and how its symptom may have exacerbated his gambling problems .
Rose speaks of a time when he did n’t even think of the upshot of gambling until he was caught illicitly bet on baseball games while playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds . expert now live that make whimsical decisions without regard to import is a common ADD symptom .
Rose toldADDitude Magazinein September 2021 that he did n’t write the script to get him off the hook for gaming , which he go forward to do legally . “ ADHD is an explanation , not an excuse , ” he said .
Michelle Rodriguez, Actress
Actress Michelle Rodriguez shot to stardom with her role on the hit television seriesLost . In an consultation withCosmopolitan , Rodriguez said she feared she would never attain her pipe dream of maneuver because she has ADD ( now referred to as ADHD ) .
“ I require to save and lineal , but it ’s not prosperous with ADD , ” Rodriguez toldCosmopolitan . “ I have a hard sentence focusing when I ’m alone . I ’m a scatterbrain , but I ’m nervous of withdraw medication . I do n’t really want to reckon on anything to control my nous . ”
She toldCosmopolitan for Latinasthat she took a genial wellness break from acting after a series of “ bad moments ” — including several dealings violations — and shifted her direction to screenwriting .
According toRespectAbility , theFast & Furiousstar has said her ADD led her to be kick out from five schools and to drop out of high school before earning her GED , pursuing an acting calling , and proving that the symptom and brand link with her diagnosis do not have to forestall you from accomplish tremendous success in your chosen field .
Jamie Oliver, Celebrity Chef
British food militant and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia , a check disorder characterized by trouble translate , in childhood . In a telecasting interview withMade by Dyslexia , Oliver spoke about the challenges he face in schoolhouse as a outcome of these conditions .
“ Who said education is what we say it is ? Like a match of dudes from 500 years ago sort of set up the social system of it — English , maths , science . Okay , so if you ’re not good at black - and - white and traditional academia … you have no value , ” Oliver said . “ So , for me personally , I ’ve always been passionate since leaving schooltime about unlike type of intelligence , and everyone has the power to be vivid . ”
accord to a tweet from theADHD Foundation , Oliver advocates for healthy eating habits as a way to help handle MBD symptom .
The Takeaway
ADHD does not solely affect children . Many adults — include household figure like Simone Biles , Trevor Noah , Justin Timberlake , Adam Levine , and more — have opened up about having and living well with the condition . When fame with ADHD talk about their condition , it aid fall stigma and startle conversation around genial wellness .
extra reporting byChristina Vogt .
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Kelsey M. Latimer , PhD , RN , is a psychologist , nanny , and certified eating disorder specialist , and is the father and owner of KML Psychological Services .
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Chris Iliades , MD , is a full - time freelance author based in Boothbay Harbor , Maine . His study appears on a regular basis on many health and music websites including Clinical Advisor , Healthgrades , Bottom Line Health , HeathDay , and University Health News . Iliades also write a regular web log for The Pulse , a website for fetal health and maternity .
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Michelle Pugle is a Canadian freelance wellness writer who is certify in mental health first aid , with preparation in self-destruction prevention and several direction methodological analysis . Her oeuvre highlight the latest knowledge from peer - reviewed inquiry , subject matter experts , and lived experiences to create credible , accessible , and inclusive content that has a meaningful shock on lector . Pugle write comprehensive yet concise articles for honor - winning websites , such as Healthline , Verywell , Psych Central , and Health.com .
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