Dr. Daniel Amen: Struggling to focus, Stay Organized, or Feeling Overwhelmed by Your to-do List? ADHD Could Be Quietly Running Your Life (THIS is what to DO!)
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Understanding ADHD: The Genetic Basis and Varied Manifestations
This chapter explores the genetic basis of ADHD and how dopamine levels influence the condition. It emphasizes the complexities of diagnosing ADHD and the need for tailored treatment approaches to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate medication.
Do you often forget things or lose track of time?
Do you find it hard to stay focused on everyday tasks?
Today, Jay reunites with the ever-popular Dr. Daniel Amen, a pioneering psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist, to unravel one of the most misunderstood mental health topics today: ADHD. With society bombarded by endless distractions, overstimulation, and information overload, many are left questioning whether they truly have ADHD or are simply overwhelmed by the modern world. Dr. Amen cuts through the confusion by drawing from over three decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research. He clarifies that real ADHD is not a trend or a convenient label—it’s a genetic, neurological condition that can be identified through consistent behavioral patterns and even brain scans.
What makes this conversation especially transformative is its focus on practical solutions and healing. Rather than defaulting to medication, Dr. Amen emphasizes a whole-brain, whole-body approach—starting with sleep, nutrition, and screen time. He cites compelling evidence showing how dietary changes and digital detoxes can significantly reduce symptoms in children. Jay and Dr. Amen also explore the emotional toll of untreated ADHD, including its links to addiction, depression, academic failure, and fractured relationships. Together, they challenge the stigma, revealing that ADHD is often both overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed, particularly in women and individuals without hyperactivity.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Naturally Improve Focus Without Medication
How to Use Diet to Reduce ADHD Symptoms
How to Identify the 7 Types of ADHD
How to Reframe Negative Thoughts with Brain Training
How to Create a Brain-Healthy Morning Routine
How to Navigate ADHD in Romantic Relationships
How to Advocate for ADHD Support in Schools and Work
Your brain is not broken. By learning more about how your mind works, making intentional lifestyle shifts, and seeking the right tools, you can begin to show up in life with greater clarity, connection, and confidence.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
01:15 Why Is ADD Becoming So Common Today?
03:45 Is ADHD Overdiagnosed or Underdiagnosed?
05:37 Key Behavior Patterns That Signal ADHD
09:40 Are You Born with ADHD or Can It Develop Later?
12:18 Why Some People Only Perform Well Under Stress
15:33 How Adult ADD Shows Up as Conflict-Seeking Behavior
21:43 What Really Causes ADHD? Genetics or Environment?
28:47 Can You Learn to Regulate Emotions with ADHD?
30:23 The Long-Term Impact of Untreated ADHD in Children
31:25 Should Alcohol Advertisements Be Banned?
35:07 How an Elimination Diet and Digital Detox Can Help Kids
37:16 Why Nutrition Plays a Critical Role in Managing ADHD
38:58 How ADHD Leads to Learned Helplessness
42:10 Can You Break the Cycle and Prevent Passing ADHD to Your Kids?
44:05 Why ADHD Is More Common in Men
46:40 How ADHD Affects the People Around You
48:20 How Proper Treatment Can Transform Your Life
54:45 Start with Simple Lifestyle Changes
56:03 What to Know About Dating Someone with ADHD
01:00:10 How Untreated ADD and Chronic Stress Can Lead to Illness
01:07:40 Why Winning an Argument with Your Partner Is Still Losing
01:10:35 The Power of Active Listening in Relationships
01:12:28 How to Navigate Life with a Parent Who Has ADD
01:15:12 Is ADHD Curable or Just Manageable?
01:16:25 The Long-Term Consequences of Untreated ADHD
01:17:42 Rethinking Brain and Mental Health as One
01:19:52 Practical Ways to Become More Organized
01:21:19 You’re Not Stuck with ADHD
Episode Resources:
Dr. Daniel Amen | TikTok
Dr. Daniel Amen | Instagram
Dr. Daniel Amen | Twitter
Dr. Daniel Amen | LinkedIn
Dr. Daniel Amen | Facebook
Dr. Daniel Amen | Books
Dr. Daniel Amen | Website
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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