Hello Barns!
Barns
♪ [intro music] ♪
Those of us with ADHD can be really creative
But we aren't really taught what to DO with that.
We might think creativity is about being good at
drawing, or sculpting, or painting.
And if we aren't good at that stuff,
it means we aren't creative.
But actually creativity isn't just about creating.
It's also about problem solving, thinking outside the box,
coming up with novel ideas... or words.
In research, a common definition of creativity
is "the generation of ideas or products that are original and useful".
Full disclaimer: creativity in general, and especially in relation to ADHD,
is not an area of research that is frequently studied.
So the research we have on it is somewhat limited and still developing.
But Dr. Holly White, who studies Creative Cognition, has conducted several studies
showing that ADHDers are better at using creative thinking processes
than those without ADHD.
In fact, her research has found that
there are three components of creative thinking
that ADHDers tend to be good at.
Divergent Thinking, the ability to generate many alternative options
to a single, open-ended problem
typically occurs in a spontaneous, non-linear manner.
Basically; coming up with a lot of different ideas.
"Brain"-storming.
Conceptual Expansion, the formation of new and unusual associations
to existing concepts and knowledge structures.
Like putting the research we have about ADHD together with YouTube
to make this channel.
And overcoming knowledge constraints; resisting the constraints of prior knowledge.
One of the studies for this was really cool.
The researchers told both Neurotypical Brains and ADHD Brains
to draw an alien fruit.
All participants were told to be as creative and unusual as they could
Guess which group had ADHD!
If divergent thinking is thinking outside the box
overcoming knowledge constraints is going
"There's a box?"
Some of the Brains actually came up with their own alien fruit.
This is one of the things that I love about having ADHD.
Yeah, we might get distracted more
we might be more impulsive or hyperactive.
But according to research it's those same traits
that enhance and drive our creativity.
Impulsivity allows for risk taking
and distractability allows for innovative thinking.
Which are important for creative achievements.
So it's not surprising that researchers found
ADHDers report more real-world creative achievements.
And we're even more likely to start our own companies.
That doesn't mean we're always more creative.
ADHD performance on any task
depends a lot on motivation and stimulation.
So if a creative task we're working on
doesn't engage our brains
we're not going to be nearly as creative.
The same is true if we're in an environment
that limits our creativity.
Like being stuck at a desk
working on projects that don't interest us.
Being told to stay focused
when we're staring out the window daydreaming.
Even being forced to fit into a certain KIND of creativity.
The guy who does our animations
got a D in art class.
And even if we know we're creative AND can work in a way that works for us
we still have ADHD.
Some creative tasks are going to require things
like planning and prioritizing
and the ability to tolerate frustration.
All of which can be hard for our brains.
The very traits that make us more creative
can also get in the way of
For example
we're really good at divergent thinking; coming up with ideas
but aren't any better at convergent thinking: narrowing down those ideas.
So we often end up with way more ideas than we know what to do with.
This is probably why I've started a lot more projects than I finished.
Also, for people with ADHD, comorbidity is the rule rather than the exception.
We usually aren't just dealing with ADHD.
Anxiety and perfectionism can get in the way of starting something.
And depression can sap our motivation to do
And years of internalized messages of not being good enough in school
can create dysfunctional beliefs about our abilities.
Even if we're super creative
there's a lot that can get in the way
of us actually using that creativity.
So creativity is a gift that can come with ADHD.
But how do we use it?
1. Learn about the ways in which we're creative.
Top-down executive function heavy tasks
like completing a project according to specific instructions, the way a teacher expects
maybe we're not as strong at.
Tasks that allow us to think outside the box
and do things in new and novel ways and think flexibly
maybe that's where we shine.
Maybe we're good at coming up with a lot of ideas in a meeting.
Maybe we're good at seeing how THIS thing could make THIS thing better.
Maybe we're good at creating something completely new.
Whether that's a product, an idea, or... an alien fruit.
Even if you consider yourself really creative in one way
look for other ways in which your creativity pops up.
I know I'm good at writing and I really suck at drawing.
But recently I realized I have a really good imagination.
I can kind of imagine what an ADHD-friendly work environment
might look like, for example.
And I'm using that visualization to help me build it.
The point is:
we're all going to be better at some forms of creativity than others.
Find yours.
2. Foster that creativity.
Give your brain time to wander.
This is why Shower Thoughts are a thing.
Our brains do need time to focus on a project
but also time to wander so there's space
for those light bulb moments to happen.
Choose projects that interest you if you can
or do them in ways that interest you.
Combat perfectionism by being deliberately terrible.
Tossing out terrible ideas can actually help spark good ones.
Reward your creativity.
According to research, motivation is a huge factor in ADHD creativity.
and we respond way better to reinforcers than punishment.
Use Mind Maps to help generate those divergent ideas
in a way where you can come back to them later.
Then maybe get help narrowing them down.
Finally
3. Deal with what's getting in the way.
Again, there are a lot of things that can get in the way of our creativiry.
but our attention spans are short
and my animator is probably tired.
So I'll stick to one of them for now.
Our ADHD.
ADHD can get in the way of any task,
including creative ones.
So the things we do to treat our ADHD
can also help us create.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help us deal with
the dysfunctional beliefs that get in the way of us creating.
Coaching can help us figure out
where to put our creative energy
and support us in dealing with what's getting in our way.
ADHD-friendly apps and project management tools
can help us organize and prioritize our projects and ideas.
And ADHD medication can help with motivation and focus.
A lot of creative people with ADHD don't treat their ADHD
because they're worried it'll mess with their creativity.
It can feel like we're less creative on stimulant medication.
Because we're more focused we often don't have as many ideas
bouncing around in our head at once.
But while stimulant medication helps to improve our focus
current research suggests that it doesn't
negatively impact our divergent thinking.
This is kind of a big deal.
Personally I write better when I'm on my meds
so it was nice to hear I'm not sacrificing the ability to come up with ideas
by taking them.
At least from what we know so far.
That said, there's a lot about ADHD and creativity we don't know yet.
As someone who creates for a living,
I'm hoping to do more videos on this topic as we learn more.
And possibly even help fund some new research on it.
There's not a lot of research on ADHD strengths in general.
and how to take advantage of them.
And I think we should change that.
In the meantime, this isn't
but I think it could be really cool.
I started this community Mind Map
so we can add what helps us be creative.
There's a link to it in the description below.
I've added what helps me be creative.
I am unreasonably excited to see what you add.
Maybe something you write will also spark an idea for someone else.
If you'd rather create your own Mind Map,
the app I'm using is called MindMeister.
Or if you like pen and paper,
you can print the one we included in the description below.
Thank you to our Brain Advocates and all our Patreon Brains
for supporting and rewarding our creativity.
And giving us the creative freedom to do things outside the box.
Like, subscribe, click all the things.
and I will see you next video!
Bye Brains!