20 Famous Faces of ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder most often diagnosed in children.In India, a study had found that the prevalence of ADHD among primary school children is 11.32%. It can last into adulthood, and there are currently around 8 million adults living with ADHD.

The most common signs of ADHD are:

· Impulsive behaviour

· Difficulty paying attention

· Hyperactivity

ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in men, partially because the primary symptom of hyperactivity is more easily recognized. Here is a list of a few individuals who went against the tide to help them achieve.

Leonardo Da Vinci

The Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate multi-hyphenate. The Italian genius was an artist, sculptor, inventor, scientist, musician, architect, anatomist, astronomer, mathematician. Based on what’s known about his work practices and behaviour, a study from King’s College in London (some 500 years after his death) has revealed that da Vinci likely had ADHD.

Alexander Graham Bell

Think smart phones are bad for ADHD? Thank Alexander Graham Bell. Bell invented the telephone in 1876 and forever changed the way we communicate. Despite being a gifted problem-solver, Bell had a difficult time in school. It’s now thought that this was caused by ADHD and dyslexia.

Thomas Edison

Most known for inventing the light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera, Thomas Edison is also thought to have had ADHD. Edison struggled in school and was labelled “difficult.” His hyperactive nature aside, he loved to learn. He found ways to overcome his challenges and eventually had his big “bright idea”!

Walt Disney

Walt Disney is a world-famous illustrator, cartoonist, voice actor, movie producer, and businessman. The man behind Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney was a visionary ahead of his time. He is also thought to have had ADHD due to his struggles in school. This of course did not stop the innovative

entrepreneur from achieving his dreams. He went on to create the most magical empire in the world, and his legacy will continue to delight and inspire generations to come.

George Bernard Shaw

Being the writer of more than 100 plays, Shaw deeply criticized the existing education system of his time. A lot of people believe Shaw had ADHD that prevented him from accepting the education system as it was at the time.

Abraham Lincoln 

Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th president of the United States (1861–1865). He preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy. Lincoln dealt with severe depression and anxiety throughout his presidency. The issues were so problematic that it would cause him physical pain, such as headaches. But Lincoln turned to hobbies, such as storytelling and reading, to get him through his depression bouts

John F. Kennedy

Famous President John F. Kennedy famously had difficulty with concentration and reading during his school years. President Kennedy’s ADHD didn’t stop him from his path to presidency. Kennedy owes much of his success to the support of his family, such as his sister Eunice, who founded the Special Olympics and encouraged him to discuss disabilities while in office. Kennedy was also able to bring the topic of disability to the forefront by creating various laws that helped to support research and treatment for individuals with disabilities.

Michael Phelps

Growing up, champion swimmer Michael Phelps was continually criticized by teachers for his inability to sit still and was formally diagnosed with ADHD when he was in fifth grade. After being on Ritalin for over two years, Phelps chose to stop using the drug and instead used swimming to help him find focus. His choice clearly paid off, as he ended his Olympic career as the most highly decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 22 medals (18 of them being gold).

Michael Jordan

The greatest basketball player of all-time. Nothing more needs to be said, except that certainly ADHD couldn’t hold him back, and may have even helped him on the court. Perhaps the most accomplished athlete in basketball history, Michael Jordan is known to deal with issues of ADHD.

Will Smith

Will Smith is one of the most successful actors of all time. In 2007 Newsweek called him “the most powerful actor in Hollywood,” with four Grammy Award wins and seven Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations combined. Smith has also been a successful rapper and producer. Although he has never officially been diagnosed with ADHD, Smith believes he has it.

Howie Mandel 

Actor, comedian, and game-show host, Howie Mandel has coped with ADHD and OCD his entire life, but only consciously recognized what he had in his 40s. As a child Howie was unmanageable both at home and at school, and though he forewent earning a high school diploma he has gone on to have a long and fruitful career in the entertainment industry, where he has incorporated his conditions into his comedy and how he performed on Deal or No Deal. In an interview discussion of his ADHD he said, “Deal or No Deal works nicely with my ADD/ADHD symptoms. I show up, meet the contestants, and move around the set. I’m not stuck behind a pedestal reading trivia questions.”

Jim Carrey

Legendary comedian Jim Carrey has long been honest about his struggles with various learning disabilities and the ways in which those differences have affected his mental health. Diagnosed with both dyslexia and ADHD as a child, Carrey recalls experiencing myriad behavioural issues while growing up in school. Treatment such as medication has helped Carrey immensely, as has focusing his energy into his very physical comedy and being a spokesman for those with ADHD. 

Justin Timberlake

Grammy- and Emmy-winner Justin Timberlake exudes confidence with just about anything he does. In a 2008 interview with Collider, Timberlake stunned his fans by admitting that he struggles with both Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder. He is quoted as saying “I have OCD mixed with ADD. You try living with that.” His OCD manifests in the need to have things line up correctly, and only allowing certain foods in his refrigerator. Despite battling his obsessive thoughts, Timberlake has had an incredibly successful career in the entertainment industry, even winning nine Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards

Emma Watson

Though she hasn’t been quite as vocal about it as some of the other celebrities on our list, actress Emma Watson has long dealt with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or ADHD. Reportedly, Watson was first diagnosed as a child, and has since remained on medication to help her focus and control her behaviour. The star of Harry Potter and Beauty and the Beast has not only become a highly respected actress, she’s also a U.N. Ambassador and Ivy League graduate. 

Justin Bieber

Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor. Discovered at 13 years old by talent manager Scooter Braun after he had watched his YouTube cover song videos. Bieber has sold more than 150 million records, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists. He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award. In early 2016, Justin Bieber admitted that he had been taking ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) medication for a year prior.

Paris Hilton

Paris Whitney Hilton is an American socialite, businesswoman, and entertainer. The heiress and TV personality say she's had ADD since she was about 12. However, despite this, Paris has managed to build a strong career in business, singing and TV.

David Neeleman

JetBlue CEO David Neeleman has turned his ADHD to his advantage, using it to help him focus on the things that he is passionate about. In an interview, Neeleman said “If someone told me you could be normal or you could continue to have your ADD, I would take ADD.” In this spirit, Neeleman refuses to take medication to treat the condition. Instead of allowing his ADD to derail his thoughts, he uses the condition to find more streamlined methods of accomplishing his tasks.

Woody Harrelson

Harrelson is an actor and activist. Many know him for his acting in the highly successful and Emmy award-winning work in the 80’s TV show Cheers. Harrelson has also been an outspoken activist for the Environment. His ADHD has not stopped him from becoming one of the most prolific actors of our time.

Michelle Rodriguez

She has been one of the most open famous people with ADHD by willingly sharing the story of her condition in one of the interviews she had with Cosmopolitan Magazine.Michelle Rodriguez didn’t let ADHD move ahead of her career. In fact, she got to play important roles in famous TV series and movies such as Lost and Fast & Furious.

Britney Spears

The iconic pop star Britney Spears is one of the most famous celebrities with ADHD and she went public with it in 2012 while she was performing as a judge on “The X Factor.” Spears, who was diagnosed with the condition as a child, needed to take regular breaks during filming to manage her symptoms.

ADHD does not have to be an obstacle to achieving success. As the saying by Dr. Suess goes “Why fit in, when you were born to stand out? Be inspired and persist in achieving the impossible. It’s all in the ADDtitude!!!

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