You can lead a successful life with ADHD. Some traits you may have that can help you achieve this include spontaneity, courage, resilience, creativity, and more.
When you think of ADHD, do you see it as an impairment or an advantage?
There are far too many benefits of living with ADHD to see it solely as a disadvantage, which we discuss below.
You won’t have the same ADHD personality traits as everyone with ADHD, but some personal strengths may make having the condition an advantage.
Positive characteristics
- Energetic: You may often have great amounts of energy to channel toward success.
- Spontaneous: You may turn impulsivity into spontaneity. You may be more open and willing to try new things and break free from the status quo.
- Inventive: You may have a different perspective on life with ADHD. This may encourage you to approach tasks and situations thoughtfully. You may be an inventive thinker. Other words to describe you may be original, artistic, and creative.
- Hyperfocused: You may become hyperfocused, according to 2018 research. You may intensely focus on a task so much that you don’t notice the world around you. You may work until its completion without breaking concentration.
Research into the benefits of ADHD is often based more on stories from people living with ADHD than statistics. Some people report that the condition has affected them for the better.
A small 2023 survey of 50 adults with ADHD found that their positive experiences of living with it fit into four themes:
- The dual impact of ADHD: Survey respondents know they can channel their energy toward productivity. However, when channeled differently, they can use it in a way that doesn’t encourage progress.
- The unconventional mind: The respondents recognize that living with ADHD allows them to think outside the box.
- The pursuit of new experiences: They find enjoyment in trying new things and change.
- Resilience and growth: Living with ADHD isn’t going to be an easy journey. The survey respondents credit the path to diagnosis with showing them who they uniquely are.
Similarly, a small 2018 study including six successful adult males with ADHD found six core themes among their answers regarding the positive aspects of ADHD:
- Cognitive dynamism: shifting between curiosity, drive, and hyperfocus and between fleeting ideas and outside-the-box thinking
- Courage: confronting the fear of being “different” or “outsiders” and coping with uncertainty
- Energy: whether psychological, physical, or spiritual, having an abundance of energy to channel, harness, or direct toward life, adventure, and success
- Humanity: being optimistic, initiating conversations with ease, having a sense of humor, demonstrating self-acceptance, and recognizing feelings
- Resilience: learning where your strengths and weaknesses lie and knowing how to counteract your weaknesses with your strengths
- Transcendence: appreciating beauty and excellence
According to 2020 figures, it’s estimated that symptomatic adult ADHD affects more than 366 million adults globally.
Think of all the people — students, athletes, managers, salespeople, and more — included in this number who are highly successful while living with ADHD. You could be next or even working toward it right now.
That number includes celebrities — maybe your favorite also lives with ADHD — such as:
- actor Channing Tatum
- director Greta Gerwig
- journalist Lisa Ling
- swimmer Michael Phelps
- TV star Paris Hilton
- baseball player Shane Victorino
- gymnast Simone Biles
- musician Solange Knowles
- NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw
- author Dav Pilkey
- TV host Ty Pennington
- actress and musician Zooey Deschanel
A diagnosis of ADHD isn’t a disadvantage in life. Instead, ADHD can and has contributed to the success of many performers, athletes, and businesspeople.
Who’s to say you also can’t become successful while living with ADHD?
Certain personality traits may make it easier to accept change, build resilience, and approach life with optimism. These may all contribute to your success while living with ADHD.