#68 - ADHD Explained: Why We Struggle to Focus & Follow Through with Dr John Kruse

What if the most controversial public figure of our time could help us understand ADHD better?  In this episode of The Struggle, psychiatrist Dr. John Kruse breaks down the science of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the lens of Donald Trump’s behavior — exploring impulsivity, hyperfocus, and control of attention.Whether you’ve just started exploring ADHD or you’ve lived with it for years, this deep dive offers valuable insights into how the ADHD brain works in adults, why it’s so often misunderstood, and what the media gets wrong about “distraction” and “drive.”We unpack:• The difference between focus vs. control of attention• Why ADHD is underdiagnosed in adults and seniors• The paradox of hyperfocus vs. distractibility• Misconceptions on social media (e.g., TikTok misinformation trends)• How environment and genetics interact in ADHD• Why stimulants like Adderall work — and their real risks• Why ADHD might shorten lifespan if untreated• Lessons schools and workplaces can learn about neurodiversityDr. Kruse also discusses real-world stories of lifelong ADHD awareness, misdiagnosis, and late-in-life discovery — including a humorous example of how an 80-year-old man found clarity through understanding his ADHD patterns.Learn more about ADHD on Dr John Kruse’s YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@drjohnkruse?si=LOTP2EhfoJLJOVPS& his Medium page here: https://dockruse.medium.com📰 SponsorSign up for The Struggle Newsletter here - https://gregorthomson.com📺 Watch The StruggleYouTube - https://youtube.com/@GregorSThomson?si=wTfFwPVYKhJxKAsD📱 Get In TouchInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/gregorsthomson/Tiktok -https://www.tiktok.com/@gregor.s.thomson?_t=8ioMNLUnA25&_r=1Email - [email protected]🎵 MusicConal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6Reference ListKruse, J. (2020). Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Executive Dysfunction. DrJohnKruse.com.American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).Faraone, S. V., & Larsson, H. (2019). Genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 24(4), 562–575.Dalsgaard, S., et al. (2015). Mortality in Children, Adolescents, and Adults With ADHD. The Lancet, 385(9983), 2190–2196.Weiss, M., & Weiss, G. (2004). ADHD in Adults: A Guide to Evaluation and Treatment. Guilford Press.Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.). Guilford Press.Stat News. (2017). I’m an Expert on Diagnosing Mental Illness. Trump Doesn’t Meet Criteria for a Mental Disorder.CHADD. (2025). ADHD in the News – September Edition.🔍 Hashtags#ADHD #ADHDAwareness #ADHDTreatment #AdultADHD #MentalHealth #DonaldTrump #FocusAndAttention #TheStrugglePodcast