Overcoming Attention Deficiency - ADD & ADHD | Sadhguru 

ADHD isn’t actually an deficiency in attention. It’s the inability to regulate attention so people with adhd actually focus too little OR too much (which is referred to as hyperfocus). Overall, it’s an executive functioning disorder.

I agree to some extend. But ADD and ADHD does not just affect your ability to focus. I affects your sleep, your social life, your ability to study, work and do chores etc. Of course it varies from person to person, but it's not something you overcome, it's something you learn to live with. I got diagnosed with ADD a few years ago at age 24. I've had to rearrange a lot of my life in order to work with my ADD (and depression). But many of the most succesful people on Earth have disorders like AD(H)D and autism. Probably because we are good experts. We find a passion and hyper-focus on it, we become obsessed. Finding your passion is a good advice, because then it will no longer feel like work.

This is a damning, stigma-reinforcing explanation of ADHD. ADHD is not a label, but an acknowledgement of a disability that enables those diagniosed with it to gain enhanced self-awareness and seek the necessary support to help them thrive. Further, Sadhguru contrasts himself with ADHDers by saying he has too much attention; he needs to educate himself on the reality of ADHD which in fact is very much about having too much, rather than not enough attention, feeling one must pay attewntion to absolutely everything without filter, and times being able to 'hyperfocus' for hours on a single interest. ADHD does not fall within the normal spectrum of 'everybody is different', it is a neurobiological brain difference. It encompasses far more than 'not paying attention'; it includes difficulties with all areas of executive function and emotional regulation. Those diagnosed with ADHD only have to worry about being 'labelled' so long as they live in a world that reinforces the stigma it carries as not being a genuine condition, which this video - in the guise of spiritual development - perpetuates. Sadh Guru mocks the diagnosisof ADHD when he lists random letters and insinuates that everyone is looking for a title. This video hurts people with ADHD. I am one of them.

Sadhguru, I've had ADD since I was a child. My natural tendency towards curiosity meant I performed very well in school, until highschool and university. I was unmedicated for some time, but now that I am on it I suggest those who suffer with ADD to seek appropriate medication. My hyperfixations have been a boon and a curse, at times I become exceedingly productive, other times I spend hours researching useless topics. I get what you mean about having attention focused on other things rather than a lack of attention, but the issue is a lack of reward in actions. It's miserable to have no motivation, and disheartening to feel no satisfaction from completing hard work, and sometimes that is remedied by stimulants for many. That being said, I've been studying as an accountant for years and struggling through much of it. However, once I identified my passion in metalworking, suddenly all the work required became a reward in itself. Finding one's passion is the best remedy to ADD/ADHD

With due respect, ADHD is a neurological problem and not just an excuse or result of a lack of interest. Personally, I felt this video was insulting to the real aspect of it. I understand the motto behind the talk to feel empowered and not feel weak and less but it does not change its reality. (Edited) Also, finding passion DOES help, but it still does not help with the focus. About meditation, before getting diagnosed with ADHD, I have been meditating, it alleviates 30% but does not help. I want to clarify one point, people who say they have ADHD want to di-stigmatize it rather than gain attention. The lack of social empathy and force of the term 'normal' itself shows the amount of fear around the topic. If we want a society where neurodivergent (a better terminology) if ADHD sounds depressing :D humans are looked at like any other, we too must contribute to building a judgment-free, empathetic environment. Till then, I feel it is good to let those who are neurodivergent know that they don't lack anything and realize it is not behavioral.

This advice sounds great in theory but when add affects one's ability to do required actions (cleaning, hygiene, bill payments, etc) you can't just wait for the thing you want to focus all of your attention on. 🤷🏼‍♀️

ADHD is more that paying attention. It's executive function. It's real medical condition.

Thank you for this. I'm 52 years old and have been diagnosed with ADHD. So for 44 years I have always believed I was a bad man with a bad mouth to finally realize that I have a brain disorder. Now I know I am finally bringing some order to my life and learning to cope and work on my brain to get its act together. Hats off to my wife of 21 years who has stuck by my side through thick and thin.

Wow. So I can cure my neurological disorder just by getting a hobby? Wow thanks!

*”The most beautiful moments in life are moments when you are expressing your joy, not when you are seeking it. - Sadhguru”*

I have been suffering from being labeled ADHD..i have been medicated and been a robot..i am listening to you, sadguru..in tears. I thank you!!! Thankful for you addressing this. Grateful. Thanks!

“Overcoming ADHD….” That’s like saying “overcoming paralysis…” you don’t overcome either. You learn to cope and bend your disability around society to better help you fit in.

We are born with it. We cannot physically change this.

Partial knowledge is so dangerous..... Sadhguru has totally proven the point here.... Without proper knowledge ,you should refrain from commenting upon medical conditions .....

Namaskaram Anna/Akka. This is addressed to the volunteer that may be reading this. Please consider. making a video addressing OCD and those kind of issues. Pranam. 🙏

I hope that someone was there in Isha to make Sadhguru understand that problem of attention and depression are different from ADHD and Clinical depression. One is a disase and the other is the incabapility of certain people. One has to do with the reduction in chemicals and inability to function normally. I have seen the video on Depression which is very disturbing. I hope Sadhguru realise it and stop making comments about certain Mental Illnes without knowing the details about it

”The most beautiful moments in life are moments when you are expressing your joy, not when you are seeking it. - Sadhguru” Always adorable to listen to you master! 🙏

Eh? It is real. It is a disorder. It is disrespectful to say that people with this cannot pay attention because they aren't interested or feel the thing isn't important enough; that is exactly why it is a disorder. Would you tell a nearsighted person not to bother wearing glasses? First video that was way off the mark, for me.

With all due respect, having trouble focusing, and having ADHD are not the same things. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects the dopamine regulation of brain and in turn messes with the executive functioning of brain. You can not tell yourself to stop being ADHD. Also, having too much attention (hyperfocus) is a symptom of ADHD as well. Just like you don't tell a person with bad vision to "hey! Just see better!", You give them glasses and acknowledge that they can't see well, to a person with ADHD you give stimulation. Which in turn produces dopamine. Please don't diminish the struggle of people who already suffer.

My ADHD is a gift. Coupled with being hard of hearing. Both from meningitis. I have a photographic memory, my IQ is higher than normal. I read body language. And my intuition is also stronger than normal. I am gifted. ❤️

The most funny is that in what is called adhd most labelled as adhd do have extreme attention, just as he was describing with the speck in the book. It's not that adhd don't have attention, it's just too much attention on what is decided as "the wrong thing" then you are labeled as "deficient" , adhd should be called "extreme attention capability" instead of attention deficit. Yes maybe it causes certain issues with functioning in certain constrictive boxes of our society but really I think it's the surrounding judgement and pressure and misunderstandings that makes "adhd people" fill inadequate and that something is "wrong with them". Everyone as different brains functioning and all come with positive and negative sides and what is considered positive and negative just depend on your surroundings.

I really love books, but I can't focus long enough to read 🥺 this will really help me ❤❤❤💜❤💜

When you talk about ADD and ADHD, you don't talk about finding passion. And, it's not mental, it's your physical affecting your mental.

For me, AD.D. is Attention Directed towards another Dimension.

The day I found sadhguru is the day I found God. The rest follows. Thank you , From africa.Kenya. thank you thank you thank you.

So pleasing to listen from the Master with a pleasant music ❤🙏

adhd is a *physical* issue. you can *physically* see the deformities in the brain of one with adhd. its not mental. its not make believe. its not something you can control. it has nothing to do with personality, age, or a persons mental state. in many cases its purely lifelong. for someone with adhd, even if they achieve the ability to control their symptoms, it is still a never ending battle of high effort.

Always adorable to listen ❤

I have adhd and what I learnt is it’s a gift and a blessing🎁. You are always in your present moment naturally. It’s an evolutionary trait that allows you to hyper focus on things you are really interested in. People calling it a disorder is just dumb.

It's a shame that they got rid of the dislike button.

Whatever it is the state of mind that has been from childhood till now need not be the same moving forward. State of mind can be shaped according to one's passion.

unfortunately my adhd does not focus on things that I like and enjoy when I want it to

"I'm a mechanical engineer" 😂

Omg. Sadghuru cured my ADHD. Thank you so much!!

I have been diagnosed with ADHD because I am not willing to be forced to attend to things I am not interested in!

Attention is not the major concern in ADHD. Overwhelming thoughts is a concern. Losing interest in elementary tasks due to hyper focus on unnecessary things while doing a elementary task is a concern ( every interest area has elementary tasks). An Ahdh person is stuck there. Leads to low self esteem and eventually people prey on it ... Gaslighting or lack of understanding what the person is going through.

One like for our lovely Sadhguru❣️🌺 🙏

Perfect start to my day! Thank you 🙏🏻!

Thank you for your videos Sadhguru ❤️🙏😊

Have a goal, change your routine, get more active, sleep more/less, conquer stress, It’s Your Life, So Live It! To anyone having bad days or experiencing lack of confidence periods, may the upcoming days have the relief you seek. small encouraging words from a small youtuber 🙏

ADD is a huge problem in the west. Even here in Turkey where I am from. I wish they make meditation and yoga mandatory in schools! Something for Isha to consider? 🙏🙏

When u hv pure heart Person then automatically become a god my inspiration🙏🙏🙏

I don't think Sadhguru understands ADD/ADHD.

Sadguru, we children are after you, your each word is a mantra for us 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Just surprised with how Sadhguru makes every aspect of life easy❤

Find something you're passionate about ; attention will come ❤

Thanks for your support💪

The man who never have problems.

The living legend-Sadhguru💚

Sure, thank you magic man. Now do a video on how to cure schizophrenia.

"when u have interest attention automatically comes" has been a grave yard for me. i kept saying to myself that "u dont love medicine" cuz so no matter how much i try to concentrate i couldn't do it. Now that is ADHD my dear ! no matter how much i love medicine, love my profession i was not able to concentrate, no get the work done ! thats how brains with ADHD work. we have a train of thoughts just for nothing ! i accepted i have adhd, I adopted methods to be productive and learned to manage my ADHD problem. And now i am at peace !

Thanks for teachings I find them 2 b of great comfort and peace of mind thank you

Most of us have this one problem, that we can't take our ears and eyes off you sadhguru 🙏🙏🙏😃

Changing our mindset so as not to remain dormant in the journey of life is very important thank you Sadhguru 🙏🙏😍❤️

Thank you for this wonderful video🙏

Namaskaaram Sadhguru 🙏

Perfect timing as always. My add has been out of control as of late. This clip was immeasurably helpful. Thank you as always Sadhguru

why does this man need to have an opinion on everything? just stick to yoga and inner engineering please 🙏🏼❤️

Thanks for the one who asked this ..

නමස්කාර වේවා, සද්ගුරු.

This gives me lots of confidence.

When I was a boy I was diagnosed with ADD. I was medicated and according to the teacher it did miracles because I became a different person. I was able to focus on what was instructed, complete tasks and pay attention to instructions. My inference on the subject is that whatever chemical there is on a pill it certainly can cause a person to become more focus driven on the subject. I wonder if there are any side effects, which Sadhguru states that there are. When I was diagnosed, I wasn't fully developed nor conscious, so consequently I would drift here and there without realizing. Now I do realize when I drift here and there and can focus my attention on what I desire if I put the effort. I assume this can be "cured naturally", and that with exercise it shouldn't be a problem.

Hunter and Gatherer Mr. Most honourable and respectable Sadghuru. Instead of 10 000 pages of complicated explanations its a book with one chapter, one page, 3 words, 19 letters. Hunters and gatherers in ancient times. No explanations further required. 🙏

Thank you Sadhguru.🐰

" What one human being can do physically or mentally, another human being may not be able to do. You do not need to get a title for that, like attention deficit disorder, ADD, or whatever else. The thing you need to look at is, how to maximize who you are! - Sadhguru 🙏❤️🙏

✨✨🙏 iam blessed the world

I'm 40 now and just realizing that my problems aren't just childhood trauma and depression. I realize now that I have autist and ADD tendencies. I am so frustrated and I wish I figured this out sooner. Just trying to get at each layer of myself. I was one of those "gifted" students, and I was treated like garbage. Now I try to pay attention to things but I lose focus or interest and I'm onward to the next thing. Jack of all trades, master of none. Sadhguru seems nice. I find his videos at lest try to help. I just feel like I don't know what to do.

Wow, this was super unhelpful

But what if what you're really passionate about can't sustain you in modern society? :(

"Paying attention to life is the key to success" - sadhguru.

Thank you Sadhguru!

I would like to ask to make a video on what are the different methods of learning/comprehending a knowledge/information and what is the fastest method to comprehend any thing

This just put me at ease. So simple and gentle of an explanation🙏🏾❤️

I've been overly passionate about everything my whole life. Now I can't focus on anything for more than 5 minutes because my brain actually ran itself into the ground... then a Dr told me I had adhd my whole life and its wasnt good to go to 53 without being diagnosed and treated sooner kinda like an engine that runs faster than it's designed. Only then did I find out how not funny all this is in so many ways. Everyone thinks their normal until they're not. I know because it happened and I living it. I guess all those evidence based brain scans showing theres a problem with peoples brains are a figment of the imagination? All this said I've found a way to be happier but it's not as easy as people want to believe. Once you get to far down the road without treatment it becomes a walking death sentence and you are the closest thing to a ghost as is possible. If you want to know how hard it can be try remembering that first moment in your life when you knew without a doubt that you had been betrayed by someone in your life you luvd. Now imagine enduring the same chemical reaction in the brain everyday for things that shouldn't be causing it but do. Explaining this away so easily by people that have no idea causes it thiscreaction way more than id like to believe myself. It's like saying don't feel bad when your favorite pet, child, relative or signicant other passes away because it's normal. Well that chemical reaction that the brain does to trigger that onset of extreme fear/ sadness combined initially at those particular rare moments in life happens to some people for no reason at all all the time ...it's no different that autism or anything else. Go give the same speech to someone with autism or CP tell them they are overreacting to something that happens to everyone.. Most people with mental illness don't want pity ..they just want others to understand that it's not something that can be cleared up with some meditation. People have empathy for others because they have a general idea what something could possibly feel like that happens to others... there's no way anyone can understand what mental illness feels like unless they've had mental illness. Your brain wether you like it or not creates and affects your reality ...Here's another good analogy for those really wanting to know ...go fall sleep and have a nightmare you can't control and never wake up from it. Then try and see how funny that would be. Lol 😆 The scariest part to mental illness is you look normal so no one believes your not. They think you made bad choices or didn't try and take responsibility in your life. You can see someone that's missing a limb. You would have a hard time convincing them they're normal ...but even physically disable people have it lucky because people actually believe them and can see there's a problem.

Needed This very much 🙏

Thank you sadhguru...

I think this question must be asked to children with ADHD and other attention-related disorders as to whether they have an interest in what their parents think their children should be doing or learning. but for sure hyperactivity and attention can for sure be removed with proper yoga practices.

I was waiting for this thank u so much

Thankyoubfor this video sir ji

Thank you Sadhguru ♥

I respect sadhguru a lot but in this instance I disagree with his opinion. My ADD is severely holding me back in life and in my relationships. You can't just focus on things you care about. That's all well and good and I do have passions for certain things in life, however there is a great deal of careful planning and goal setting/accomplishing of tasks that are extremely mundane and frustrating. All adults have many disagreeable tasks that must be completed. The problem is that I just cannot bring my focus to do those tasks. This inability has caused me huge failures in my life.

I love it whenever he starts by saying, "see" or "see uhhh" 😁

Universe I pray for positive energy and love

Loved it.. ❤️

As physically everyone is not equal similarly mentally we all are at different, but it is important to use to the fullest what we have! Find something u r passionate about, u will see an improvement in ur attention. Thanks Sadhguru for this insightful talk.

wise so wise ..and the gratitude we feel when we hear wise words that are shared

Love this vidoe#1❤❤ Thank you Thank you🙏🙏🙏

Gracias maestro Rochi, eres lo máximo!!!

Unfortunately he dosen't have any idea in the slightest on what ADHD really is. In ADHD u can't even concentrate longer on the things u love doing or even ur hobbies.

Been waiting for this topic for so long. Thank you Sadhguru. ❤️

Thank u for your wisdom sadhguru from phillipines

I have ADHD, this video is frustrating and unhelpful because he didn’t even try to find out what it is before giving advice, change the framework of my mind?! Thanks, I’m cured 🤦‍♂️

Hmmm, so there's no solution to ADHD? Inattention is only part of the issue. Finding their passion does not fix ADHD. I guess we just learn to live with each other (ADHD people with non-ADHD people).

Blessed as always🙏🏼😭

I always admire his way of turning complicate problems into simple but meaningful solutions sadhguru 🙏🏻 my wish to meet you atleast once

Please speak about PTSD Satguru 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️

Sadhguru is talking to Londoners. People here generally use ADD, ADHD as an excuse for 'mishap'. Even when their problem has no clinical/medical proof. Like low grades, playing Fortnite (cuz then the people feel more attentive), not giving answers during class, etc.. So he is giving this answer in that context.

Find something that you're passionate about, attention will come. Great. Thank you, Sadhguru.

Namaskar satguru infinite thanks

Thank You very much My Guru 🙏