ADHD: A Myth or Reality? Dr. Gabor Maté’s Controversial Claims
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Published 2024-01-29
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned author and speaker about ADHD and its impact on people's lives.
Trigger warning: Controversial opinions on ADHD. Because I'm dedicated to helping as many individuals with ADHD as I can, I push myself to the limit and brought someone to this space who has been a contrarian in the ADHD world specifically, in the origins of ADHD. I'll leave it up to you to decide which viewpoint you agree with. But what is noteworthy is that we can all learn from different viewpoints as we continue to explore our experiences with ADHD, what is, what isn't and how it shows up for each of us.
You don't have to agree with my guest's viewpoints to reach the benefits of what he shares during this episode. Trauma is a very real topic for individuals and up to 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
Do I agree with everything in this episode?
Does it matter what I think?
Listen to the end to hear my opinion.
What We Discuss:
• How Dr. Maté believes that ADHD is not a disorder, but a result of the environment in which an individual lives.
• The impact of childhood trauma on the development of ADHD.
• The role of parents in the development of ADHD.
• The need for connection and relationships in managing ADHD.
• The impact of stress on attention and the development of autoimmune diseases.
• The importance of taking care of oneself and managing stress in managing ADHD.
• The role of medication in managing ADHD symptoms.
• The importance of understanding oneself and seeking help in managing ADHD.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Gabor Maté, visit his website, drgabormate.com
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Successful with ADHD. If you enjoyed this conversation, please +FOLLOW the podcast on your favorite platform and leave a review to let me know your thoughts.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - A special message from Brooke
02:27 - Dr. Gabor Mate’s background in ADHD.
07:14 - ADHD doesn’t have to define you.
12:24 - The architecture of the brain
18:28 - The risk of addiction in ADHD.
23:49 - If you want to get a two-year-old to behave, don’t get triggered…
26:31 - How much do you have to motivate your kids?
30:45 - What’s the difference between compounded trauma and trauma?
35:51 - The importance of the attachment relationship in parenting.
42:14 - If someone has a troubled childhood and their implicit memory is encoded in their brain, can we remove that memory over time?
47:49 - Your body and your mind react when you put pressure on yourself.
52:28 - Gabor’s book recommendations for parents
All Comments (21)
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I wish we had all this information back in the 70’s when I was a kid!!!! Man did I ever pay a price for having this disorder.
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He makes more sense to me than most regarding this subject and addiction... brilliant man
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Dialogue/Debate, Russel Barkley & Gabor Mate
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I have just tweeted my senior school teacher to thank them for saving me. I can relate to the ‘clever’ comments of teachers but she was so kind and supportive as i wrote to deal with the pain
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"it's not an explanation, it's a description" of an ongoing process🙂 "A nominalisation is a process" was one of the first things that I learned when I once got in touch with NLP 25 years ago. So many people, and even doctors, use their diagnosis as an explanation or as an excuse for staying stuck instead of changing the process. I had to teach my doctor, when I freed myself from the symptoms of an "incurable, chronic autoimmune disease" by ignoring the prescribed medicine after it didn't work for some years, and instead by compassionately "talking" with my body. I came up with this solution after I read some buddhist book about mindful communication and using what I learned before about meditation and hypnosis. I did read "The myth of normal", and learned a lot from Mr. Gabor. And after this interview I think next I'd read the "Scattered minds" and "When the body sais no". Still so many interesting things to learn... 🙂Thanks for the inspiration!
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I’m so glad that I continued to listen to/watch this video, despite being in complete disagreement initially lol 😂 I actually learned a lot about a topic that I genuinely DO know a lot about. I love when someone can make me completely question what I thought I knew
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DR. gabor absolutely 💯 speaks to me and his videos have brought me to tears 😢. Adhd all my life x ritalin 1982z and still fighting
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This is how the standard is challenged and new perspectives and solutions are created . This is how love and wisdom clearly breaks through cyclical and old ways thinking -diagnosis dissected dismantled. Thank you Dr Mate. ❤
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This is exactly the reason I finally chose to go NO CONTACT with my family, after 60 years, as I will no longer allow this threat of abandonment to be used against me. It's neglect and abuse. Listening to this man is very helpful with coming to some understanding as to why they behaved in this fashion. It may not make it easier but it certainly helps to know that the issue was not mine to begin with & is not my fault.
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I am so intrigued...and it's eye opening the perspectives that Dr Mete brought up. Just wow
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I work in addictions and oddly I possess ADHD...it sits in my pocket The wallet comment sits true for me.... But it doesn't define me 😮 I sit for hours and listen I go into nature as a photographer after work this is critical for my adhd
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Great material, as usual when listening Dr Mate. Great host as well.
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I partially agree with Dr. Mate, primarily with his claim that the way in which ADHD diagnosis and treatment is most commonly done does not capture the full scope of the disorder. It is imperative for individuals to educate themselves on the disorder to fully understand how it manifests in their daily lives. I disagree with him on most other points, including his assertion that there is no genetic component. There is a large body of quality evidence which says otherwise. Aside from that, there is also ample data showing that there are structural changes within the brains of those with ADHD. As someone diagnosed over a decade ago, I still struggle with this disorder on a daily basis. While I am not a doctor, I have still spent countless hours researching and pouring over any relevant studies, listening to lectures, seeing various clinical psychologists with specialization with the disorder, etc. Dr. Mate’s views are quite at odds with the established science.
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Woahh Brooke! Gabor Mate had the honor of meeting you! 😊 This is so amazing! ❤ You’re a such a gift to this world!
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So eye-opening!!! Thank you
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Great talk, thank you both.
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Thank you! I have watched a lot of Gabor Mate, and I still found something new here 😀
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He’s very knowledgeable. i want to buy his book
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❤ lovely conversation thank you for this!
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Brilliant! Thank you!
