ADHD and depression (Josh’s story)

Pediatrician Josh Maxwell had two “aha” moments that led to his
ADHD diagnosis. One came from talking with a teenage patient
whose ADHD symptoms were different from what he’d seen in other
patients. It wasn’t that the teen couldn’t pay attention, but
rather that they were paying attention to everything all at once.
Josh related to that feeling.  


Josh’s other ADHD “aha” came from his experience with depression.
After starting antidepressants, he could more clearly see his own
ADHD symptoms. Now, the coping strategies he’d put in place for
himself, the masking, and even the childhood poem he wrote about
fidgeting made perfect sense. 


Listen to this episode of ADHD Aha! to learn what Josh
would rename ADHD, and why pediatrics is the only specialty for
him.   


To find a transcript for this episode and more resources, visit
the episode page at Understood. 


We love hearing from our listeners. Email us at
ADHDAha@understood.org. 
Related resources

ADHD and depression

How attention works

Should I get tested for ADHD as an adult?



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