Can you guess which famous personalities have ADHD? You may be surprised! Unlocking ADHD writer Si Jie has gathered a few familiar names for inspiration to ADHDers.
Living with ADHD may feel like a lonely journey sometimes. Today, we’ll be looking at a few outstanding celebrities who live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and exploring how they have achieved great things through their diagnosis.
1. Simone Biles
Simone Biles is the United States’ most decorated gymnast, with over 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. Simone Biles has openly talked about taking ADHD medication, and how she is definitely not ashamed of it.
2. Michael Phelps
I’m sure we all know who Michael Phelps is. As the most decorated Olympian of all time, Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9, and found that his passion lay with swimming, which motivated him to start training for it. Phelps once told People Magazine, “I [saw] kids who were all in the same class, and the teachers treated them differently than they would treat me”. As someone who understood the stigma of mental illness, he actively took steps to prove those who looked down on him wrong.
3. Jackson Wang
The dancer and rapper has openly discussed his ADHD multiple times, and has mentioned that he transferred from a public school to an international school while living in Hong Kong because a teacher told him that he had ADHD, and recommended studying in an international school as it would be more suitable for him.
4. Park Bom
The popular 2NE1 member was embroiled in a drug scandal, where she eventually revealed that the “drugs” she had been taking was Adderall, and she used it to manage her diagnosed ADHD. She clarified that she has never used drugs recreationally, and mentioned that Adderall was a more effective treatment method for her, as compared to therapy, which was why she was more dependent on it.
5. Adam Levine
The Maroon 5 star has struggled with ADHD all his life, and found that it persisted even till adulthood, when he was writing songs in his studio. He wrote, in an article for ADDitude, “Remember that you are not alone. There are others going through the same thing.”
6. Will.i.am
The popular rapper has said that music helps him manage his ADHD, and that his ADHD actually helps him work better as a musician, because it keeps him moving and inspired.
7. Justin Timberlake
The singer has openly said that he was diagnosed with “OCD mixed with ADD”, and has shared his frustration for living with the condition. Even so, he has been wildly successful, with the sale of over 32 million albums and 56 million singles, and has not let the condition stop him from achieving his dreams.
There are many people struggling with ADHD, some more than others. Even celebrities are no exception. While they may seem perfect on the outside, it helps to know that more often than not, they have the same struggles as many of us. We hope their success can inspire you to strive towards realising your dreams in spite of the struggles you may face.
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