This video was suggested via personal attack by the UA-cam algorithm. That being said, you hit every nail on the head, and I feel so validated and seen. Thank you for making it.
@@TheADHDMof course! I’m part of a Discord run by a D&D TikToker who is ND, and all of us were talking about this as well. We have our own little goblin camp of sorts, but it’s always good to meet and connect with others. Side note: I’ve always said I’m a Dice goblin, but I guess I’m more goblin-esque than expected? Lol
This comment was fed to me via a personal attack by the UA-cam algorithm. That being said damn you stole my thought I could of had but you hot it on the head
Not to mention how friendly D&D is to "hobby hopping." There are so many "sub-hobbies" within D&D that allow you do do whatever your brain wants to do without getting bored. Whether that's worldbuilding, reading source books, making terrain, cartography, making insane player builds, or something else. D&D can give you the much needed dopamine rush even after one thing stops giving the dopamine to you.
Yes 100%!! I actually cut a portion of this video where I talked about how D&D lets me write, make music, sculpt, draw, and even cook some weeks Thank you for watching!!!
Fully agreed. This is also why I love my Narrative Designer job. I can bounce between various writing, and game design tasks when my current task is starting to drag, so I can continue my momentum with little downtime.
Oh you are so right! DnD made me get into leather crafting (binder for all of my things), clay crafting (terrain and props), drawing (fan art from our sessions as well as characters), sewing (cosplay) and as you said, making characters, worldbuilding, researching cool magical items etc.
Sabine, yes! The sheer number of PROPS that come from ADHD gaming tables is astounding, it's so good! I think there's something really special about having something to wear or carry that represents a hyperfixation, and narrowing that even further to embodying a specific character, it just does something so powerful
@@TheADHDM That's an interesting view on it, to represent a hyperfixation. For me it is mainly a way to circumvent the crushing boredom without much meaning :D
Oh wow, I'm excited for you to see it! I absolutely did a triple take on this notification. Thanks for boosting the ADHD signal, you are a force for good!
I'm a DM, I do not have ADHD, but all my players do, most are also on the spectrum. Even though I will never understand their neurodivergence, I've seen how much DND has helped them outside of the game. I've been friends with them for years now and I'm so glad TTRPGs have bonded all of us together. I'm happy I can provide them a place of support and understanding even if it is fighting fake monsters and yelling numbers over an overcrowded coffee table every week
This is the exact same thing with myself. I’m neurotypical and all of my players are either neurodivergent or have some form of struggle with mental health. I love elaborate storytelling while world building for my players. I keep them focused with tasks and the plot if it starts to get off the rails. I also love their creativity and their ability to think outside the box. I feel like this is part of the reason for how we’re able to stay interested in our year long campaign thus far.
Thank you so much for watching. Yeah I have been through a lot of therapy and I consider myself to be pretty adept at managing ADHD but hooooooo boy if one of my parents (or someone who reminds me of them) breaks out the "you're not trying hard enough" it sends my brain back in time about twenty years
@@TheADHDM I grew up being told I'm just a lazy jerk. I was never diagnosed so I was treated as neurotypical and people if I failed their expectations. I think my parents gave up hope that I'd ever succeed in my teens and kept their expectations low.
As another AuADHD DM… yes. In my late 20’s and early 30’s I was so done with life. When I hit 33 frankly the thought of living the rest of my life was exhausting and terrifying. I couldn’t understand how people operated every day. I explained it to a friend as this: “I didn’t have the same structures, rules and social cues in real life as I do when I play or DM D&D. I often don’t know that the reason why I’m scrolling UA-cam on the couch rather than doing the dishes is because my initiative is low, or that I can’t focus at work because I’m out of spell slots and need a rest, or that the way I replenish my spell slot or Ki points is to do things I love, eat some food or take my meds. Living the last 35 years of my life then discovering at 34 that the reason why shit is so hard is cause I’m Autistic and have ADHD, is like someone handing me the fkn PHB for the first time instead of criticising me for not knowing the rules that everyone else has played for and has ingrained in their brains their whole lives.”
> someone handing me the PHB Yes!! "Oh this is what all these numbers on my character sheet mean, I've been playing a tank but that's not even my build" Thank you so much for watching
I was homeschooled and even before I was diagnosed the "everyone else has a rulebook I don't have" feeling was massively overwhelming and TTRPGs were a way to make situations make sense
Wow. The sentence "I felt unfit to survive and thrive in this world" just unlocked a achievement in my brain somehow. You put into words how I felt like 3 years ago. (I now get ADHD meds and am far better but DANG)
@@TheCaptPotato I hope that you are able to look back on this comment soon, from a place of fulfilled needs and the room to be yourself without much self regulation
I’m not ADHD I don’t think but I grew up in such a toxic environment where mistakes were met with emotional abuse, that I have a lot of the same insecurities he shares
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience! That kind of trauma is definitely not exclusive to ADHD. I hope you have a place to practice being you without having to navigate all of that.
Thank you for this. I'm 55 and in the "pre" diagnosed stage with autism. In the US, it's hard to get a screening after 25, but my doc and my therapist both said "Ohhhh. That makes SO much sense". I was worried about starting in with D&D at my age - seems a little silly no? But I was told that I would find my community there. And I did. It's the most positive validation I've had in, well, ever.
I don't know where to start, I'm in tears so I'm struggling to type. I started watching this video because I was curious about the ADHD DM thing, I just wanted to learn. And instead you described me, you described how I have felt my entire life. I've been called lazy so many times I've started to believe it, I've been told I need to apply myself so often I thought I was just lazy. No one has ever described me as well as you, a complete stranger, has managed to do. Thank you.
holy crap. having lived with depression for my 42 years, and only realizing i have ADHD in the last 5 years, (As do both my parents, much to their disbelief) this makes so much sense. I got into D&D about 12 years ago and just hyperfixared on it and never stopped. my kids, both ADHD like me are both really into it as well. my wife? neurotypical, and just doesnt find the game fun at all, (but is very suppurtive and makes amazing snacks for sessions). this is such a great video. thank you. Im rambling sorry, but man this is a lot to absorb.
You weren't rambling. I'm happy for you. I want a wife and kids so bad, yet I'm only 16. I am so happy you have kids to play with, and a supporting wife.
I actually made the move to get diagnosed and seek treatment for ADHD *because* picking up D&D again at the age of 54, when I told one of my players how I felt overwhelmed no matter how much prep I did, and joked about having ADHD, and one player said I should actually do something about it. Thank you D&D!
Great job and inspiring. Old Dyslexic artist/teacher here. Our big D&D club at school does include some wonderfully creative neurodivergent folks. I didn’t realize myself back in high school that D&D was so therapeutic to my thinking and positively reinforced the process of self-discovery. But I do now, thanks to being a teacher. Nice to find this channel. Keep it it! J
I don’t have ADHD, but I do have Autism and boy did dnd help me understand and develop my social skills, when everything else just didn’t work. It allowed to look at what other people understand why, groups are helpful, and why its needed to be happy (my oldest friend group now is my first real dnd group) So what you just said is spot on. For how dnd impacted me as a person.
You...just got yourself a sub. Just wow....I literally am in tears right now. I have tried many hobbies in my 30 years of living and TTRPG (DMing primarily) has been my longest running at 8 year now. I recently was diagnosed with ADHD, put on medication that has cleared some of the "fog" in my head and it came to me the other day the reason I love TTRPGs is that I get to do a bunch of different tasks at different speeds and it all come together into a fun time around the table with friends. I can hyperfixate when I want to, procrastinate when I need to and in the end the story still goes on and I am still happy. More coverage on this would be great as I am working to build a small collaborative network of creatives in my local area where I can share these thoughts and ideas so people understand its ok to be who and how you are and feel safe just being themselves.
> I can hyperfixate when I want to, procrastinate when I need to Yes! That's such a perfect description of that value, I can't possibly emphasize enough how incredible it is to have that kind of environment Thank you so much for watching, and I'm stoked to hear that you're benefiting from treatment! I'll see you in the next video, you're awesome.
I was just diagnosed with ASHD and this video explains A LOT. I've been feeling like an absolute failure for a lot of my life, in many ways I still feel that. I am trying to unlearn those negative titles that I adopted for myself from my experience diving head first into jobs and studies and failing miserably over and over. I've been playing RPGs for over a decade and I feel safe there. I'm still learning about myself and it's a hell of a ride.
@@TheADHDM It helps a lot. I started crying halfway through the video because I felt seen in a completely new way for me. It resonated hard. Thank you so much for this. P.s I also think the video is also extremely well made on a technical level, the writing, editing and delivery of it al is just good an effective.
Awesome work - great video! I'm autistic rather than diagnosed with ADHD, but you are so right pointing out those 4 principles of what humans seek in life and what us neurodivergent bros are actually getting through TTRPGs, especially GMing
I'm 42 and just recently finding out I have ADHD. Now I'm starting the process of getting an official diagnosis so I can get on meds. I also just found tabletop a few years ago and my god it's been wonderful. This is all to say, thank you so much for this video because I have never felt so seen.
@@TheADHDM Nah honestly thank you dude! actually feel like I do have a place in the world now! Am about to start DM'in for the first time aswell, this really gave me a confidence boost.
Queer, gifted, autistic, ADHDer here. I got bullied a LOT in school 😅 I'm only recently starting to unlearn the stories I've told myself, *about myself* , my whole life. How I'm lazy. How I'm weird or boring. How I'm unlovable. None of it's true; I was just trying to assimilate in world that is intrinsically hostile to people like me.
> assimilate in a world that's intrinsically hostile In another comment someone had said that at least in TTRPG they have the tools to navigate a hostile world and a safe place to celebrate after, and that hits pretty hard Thank you for watching!
I decided to go to bed and sleep at midnight and naturally, I watched the second episode of BG3 cast DnD and it's now 4AM. This is sooooo accurate and I needed this. Thank you, a fellow AuDHDer 💖
Fantastic video, man! As an adult-diagnosed ADHD brain, (who's also an aspiring D&D UA-camr and forever DM), this really made my day. You're so right about RPGs giving us a safe place to explore. Also Ape Escape music makes me cry, so thanks for that. Subbed!
I am a DM, diagnosed with BPD and medicated for 8 years. Every day is a fight to maintain emotional normalcy and I was raised in a hyperconservative environment that blamed my illness on videogames and drugs. I lived in material excess but was routinely threatened with violence. This made having any legitimacy to my illness impossible. This led to many attempts on myself and eventual hospitalization. Now I am a dad and a successful DM. I have 2 dogs, 3 cats, a beautiful wife, and we live in a small house semi paycheck to paycheck. I have never been happier. To those in similar situations - it will get better. Don't let people who refuse to take responsibility for how their actions stay in your life. You deserve to be cared for and you deserve to be considered a person by those who say they love you.
Thank you so much for sharing this, it is so hard to believe that there is anything beyond the spiral of emotional (and literal) debt we incur in hostile environments And thank you for watching!!!
It's nice to see this, I am neuro-divergent but because it's not well understood it's not obvious and because I'm so cognizant it isn't taken seriously. I'm 38 and struggle with chronic homelessness. I do what I can to keep myself occupied as often as possible. I've formed a kind of tunnel vision between me, my minimum wage job and my entertainment. Unfortunately, I woke up today and my laptop just doesn't work anymore. This has been devastating and I am still reeling from it. My situation is too embarrassing to be part of any community and I of course have no one around me that actually understands any of this... also I have no idea why I'm venting here.
Hey, first of all I appreciate you taking the time to watch this video. There are a lot of labels that get thrown around, both for ND folks, and for anyone in those circumstances that lead to homelessness. I hope you know that being tired without accommodation doesn't make you lazy, and that no matter what messaging you're getting, externally and internally, you deserve to love what you love with abandon, and feel like yourself.
First, I love learning more about my ND brain, what a crazy little organ. You're so very compassionate. Second, the clown part gets me every fucking time. It's part of my personality now.
Very well said. The "disability" is just a label...when you let it be just that. You just have to find or create your own solutions to your own problems as every person is unique.
Thank you for watching! Of course it helps when the people around you can be made aware of your needs, so some of that can be provided, especially at home, school, and work. But we definitely can't count on that.
ADHD evolved for a reason and it spread through the human gene pool and stayed there because it's evolutionary useful for the population. We were never meant for administration or scheduling for the social group, but now we ended up with a social structure in which everyone is left to do their own administration stuff. It's really no different from a world in which shelves go higher than many people can reach.
> but now we ended up with a social structure in which everyone is left to do their own administration stuff The normative development of infrastructure has definitely done a number on those outside the norm! Thank you for watching
This was a great explanation for at least some of the reasons why _D&D_ (and TTRPGs in general) have become my own personal hyperfixation. Even at 50, I still feel like I'm not suited for survival in this world because I seem to lack that ineffable quintessence that neurotypicals appear to be born with which allows them to function and thrive in regular everyday life. As a DM, I feel like I have something that I've developed mastery over, something about which I feel highly skilled which enables me to provide hours of entertainment for my friends. ADHD and depression mean there are days when I'm not up to the task of running a session, but on the whole TTRPGs allow me to feel like a competent human being who can contribute something of worth; something that very few other areas of my life offer.
That feeling of competence is so important to feeling healthy! I'm really glad that TTRPGs are a place that make you feel like yourself. Thank you so much for watching
For me personally, I feel like playing those games where there is danger involved and the possibility to die, and seeing how one is able to move forward in the face of danger has inspired me to try and do things even if if doesn't feel safe. For me personally, as a non-binary trans auDHD person, life feeling safe seems like such a distant, unachievable thing. Seeing that so many things are actual options of what you can do, it helps me pave my own path.
> like feeling safe seems like such a distant, unachievable thing Yes! Exactly. Giving that unease a statblock or save DC and overcoming it is so powerful. Not like, literally adapting it into a monster and fighting it but, the feeling of overcoming a vampire spellcaster or hobgoblin warband leader sends signals to the brain that I can overcome other stuff too
when you started talking about how our needs aren't met, i almost cried not gonna lie. it's so depressing, but i feel so understood. and d&d has absolutely changed my life for the better. i am confident, creative, and can take charge of a situation when necessary and all of that was definitely improved (if not caused) by playing and running d&d. and there is nothing in this world more satisfying to me than ending a game i had fun running and having my players say they loved it too. even just thinking about it is making me feel really happy and i've had an incredibly shitty emotional day.
Oh my gods I feel so unbelievably SEEN. Having the right environment (I have my dream job at a good place that values its people) does WONDERS for everything in an ADHD mind. Which is really important for me, since the meds aren't good for me (messes up my sleep schedule, cranks my anxiety, etc).
@@TheADHDM oof, I know that feeling. I went back on it for my last exam season, and as soon as I stopped taking it... Instant withdrawal, only had like 50% of my brainpower for almost a month afterwards. I'm really happy for the people that it works for, but it doesn't work for my particular brain chemistry.
Yes, I self medicate with copious amounts of DnB (and its various sub-genres)! (check out the “cool music” and “cool mixes” playlists on my channel for an insight into what calms my brain) 🎧🔉🔊🔊
This hit a lot harder than I thought it was going to, I have always felt like this world was not for me being queer, AuAdhd, and struggling with a handful of mental health issues I was convinced I wouldn't make it past 18. I still feel that way some days. It's nice to have your problems not minimized and instead finding someone with first hand experience. Dnd has been a life saver for me. Thanks for the video, subscribed ❤
Thank you so much for sharing that, and for the sub! Hearing that these experiences are reaching people means more to me than watching any amount of youtube numbers going up
When i first got medication for my ADHD (at 34) all i could think was, "you mean to tell me everyone else can function like this ALL THE TIME?!" TTRPGs have been my fixation for 6 years now. I found that i enjoy playing, but LOVE running the game as DM. So much to keep track of and juggle and create - its like my brain gets to swim in sweet, sweet happy juice for hours. Im exhausted afterward, but its worth it.
I am ADHD, and I absolutely suck as a GM. My lack of being able to make decisions is just bad. I like creating worlds, but my world's are kinda weird. Most of my friends really don't want to be in them, the only one that did was my roomie, who passed away. But I can see how people can find solace in it. He was on the spectrum, and was the most awesome GM I have ever had, his worlds were so amazingly fleshed out, with lore that he wrote that the PCs may never see. But he still wanted it because it explained some other random information that explained yet more down the line.
@@TheADHDM found this video on accident, gotta love the algorithm. But it does make so much sense. And thank you. It's been hard, but trying to pick up the pieces.
I love your perspective of using passion to influence your work. I’m a teacher and I’m autistic (and a DM) and a big component of my teaching philosophy is incorporating all of my nerd interests and curiosities into my teaching because my passion makes my lessons more engaging and interactive. My students love this because they can tell I care about them and the lesson. You are absolutely right about using hyper fixation and passion to power your work, it really does make a difference. Thanks for the video!
@@TheADHDM also, I just discovered Obsidian, a "personal wiki" is SO AMAZING. I started using it for my d&d world, and now I want to put data from my work into it.
Hey. Thank you for that. I have found it pretty difficult to express why I find so much comfort in playing silly make believe games, but hearing you explain this has helped me concrete in my mind that our stories in game have real world value. Functioning in an environment where I have control gives me so much liberty. Thank you.
For me, I have severe ADHD, and D&D has never let me down. The inability of my brain to follow through something to completion, has never put me in any type of mood. I guess its because technically D&D is never finished and that allows my brain to relax and just go with it. What people do not understand about ADHD, because of pop culture and waaay too many people who 'claim' they have it has lead rise to all these negative and completely false attributations for ADD/ADHD. (the name doesn't help either as it is not correct) In the end the ADHD isn't about actual deficit of attention, it is that our brains are literally wired wrong to follow through. What looks like a short term attention of procrastination is just our brain being unable to complete X before it wants to go to Y. also.. my hyperfocus is short women... I have no idea why but when I see a girl who is short (like under 5 foot) my brain is all "Yes please, i need to know all about that" my brain is just not right in the head. and it makes me say thing like instead of "hello, or god bless you" i say "WOW your tiny!" "How tall are you?"
>in the end ADHD isn't about actual deficit of attention yeah the verbiage totally feels like someone without ADHD saying "It's super annoying and inconvenient to me that you don't listen. It can't be about how I communicate. No, surely it can't be."
Apologies if this is rather off topic, but one thing I've found that really helped with my ADHD was my first psychedelic experience. It didn't "cure" it by any means, but it allowed me to sort out a lot of the underlying tensions and traumas, untangle some wires and get things hooked up properly again. I still have ADHD, and it's still a struggle, but now I'm much better at building context for myself and understanding how my motivations work.
For the sake of public facing comments and monetization, no comment. Buuuuut it's really amazing to hear that you've attained some self-actualization. Thank you for watching!
realizing that I want to live in a fantasy world not because it's pretty but because it allows me to feel worth something in a world that's suited to the way my brain thinks? yeah I'm crying my eyes out rn
Well heck. As the DM of the D6 channel, I can 100% relate to this. I also am diagnosed with ADHD. And I cannot tell you how much D&D has saved my life and creative process.
@@TheADHDM We look forward to you watching our games. We just started out next campaign. We take the the seas of the world my creation, and we hope to see you join us.
As a recent-diagnosed-with-autism-and-ADHD person, I can't express how seen I felt by your testimonial. It was like I was doing the video (if I wasn't so introvert to create a UA-cam channel :D). Thank you for sharing.
Man, I had subscribed earlier because I loved your takes, but being in just about the exact same position as you (the only difference being a small age gap) and seeing this really hit home, thanks for verbalizing this in such a significant way. I actually sent the video to my ma lol.
@TheADHDM lol it's a journey! But I'm closer to 30 than 20 so I've been trying to get things back to a level of control, starting with making my environment reflect my passions. The drop of this vid was awesome because I just had a great talk about these things with my therapist, so it was the kind of coincidence that made me suddenly feel more steady in my direction. Cheers my brotha
BROTHER, I knew about these core human needs from my studies as an education major, but for some reason I have never considered that they're the reason that I love D&D so much!
@@TheADHDM Just one more thing about dnd that resembles my actual future career. Writing up a lesson plan is just prepping a session, but with more government interference!
Hey, I love this video! Ive been listening to a bunch of self help books and videos and then this random recommendation spoke more directly to the heart of my struggle in about 5 minutes than all of their advice combined.
Omg I needed this so much. I'm entering my depression arc, paying way too much money for the extra years that my degree is taking, not finding a job to make up for it, not even having the money to get diagnosed, in a country that by the way I was forced to emmigrate to, feeling more and more hopeless to one day being a functioning adult... Stuff like this reminds me that there's hope :) Genuinely, thank you. Immediate sub. Now I just need friends to play DnD lolll wish me luck
I myself am an ADHD Autism DnD DM. DnD is... everything. Almost. Creativity is what i need. I genuenly get depressed if i dont do enough things like worldbuilding. Its just... I just love it.
@@TheADHDM Exactly! And when I get to talk about it... well, that kind of is my heaven in a way. Amazing video by the way, can't wait for the next one!
I look forward to each of your videos more than I do to channels I’m subbed to with 1 million subs. You’re like short-form Matt Colville crossed with a therapist tailored to my needs LMAO
I absolutely loved this; it’s a short video but it gets so much right. As a person with ADHD I fell in love with dnd about 8 months ago and it has been such an incredible outlet being a dungeon master and getting a dopamine rush every time I get a good idea. It’s sadly true that it won’t be as fun sometimes. I still have yet to have a successful campaign and failed dramatically trying to get two sides of friends to mesh for a campaign that did not last long but even though I would be stressed going into the sessions planning a story that would actually go further than my sketch book was amazing for me and helped me learn to be more motivated and have confidence in myself to actually get things done. When I first mentioned starting a campaign I never thought I would do it but sure enough within the next month I had a party and after two more months I had my first ever dnd session. It was a total fail but the process of planning it alone and the excitement was good enough for me X)
> It was a total fail but the process of planning it alone and the excitement was good enough That's amazing! And I feel like the momentum of prep, and how fun it is, can carry pretty dang far. Thank you for watching!
This reminds me of a conversation from Sea of Stars: "I cannot do it like everyone else. Everyone likes it, but not me. Everything was made only for others. When I try they say 'He is not good!" So I give up and then they say "He is lazy!" It's extremely vindicating to hear from people who are going through the same experience.
This video came for me in ways I did not expect (thanks yt)😂🙈 I've only ever DM'ed oneshots (and wrote the first one myself because I was overwhelmed by the sheer length of pre-written oneshots) but I'm also part of a campaign that's been running for 4+ years. I've genuinely made an effort to connect with my fellow players and we've also become friends outside of the group, but what really helped me (as someone with diagnosed ADHD and anxiety (and a bonus 'you might also want to get checked for autism' when getting said ADHD diagnosis last year)) is just that D&D is scheduled social time. Through the years I learned to cope with ADHD through rigorous planning, so at some point I had two jobs, two masters, a board membership, as well as a position at another organisation. D&D was something that needed to be planned so I would always make time in my schedule for that. At this point I just have my job, but the homebrew world is a sort of sandbox I just get to play in, and I look forward to every single session🙌
Yes, you're 100% right! Having that time set aside is like the framework that supports so many things It's also funny how counterintuitive it seems to people that ADHD can require such a routine. Like yes, I want to hang out, but unfortunately if my routine is compromised I will dissolve. Thank you for watching!!
As a fellow Goblin-Brained DM/GM who creates content when possible, yeah this checks out. Subbed and liked, you have some fun swooshy animations/sounds that makes me realize I should expand my own style a bit further. And time to go and consume all your other vids.
You summarized it so well with the "feeling unfit to survive/like an alien in an unfamiliar world" thing. I feel that so often in my daily life. Feeling like if I was like everyone else, I'd somehow find the key to happiness and belonging that all the normal people seem to find so simple. I've taken up TTRPGs as an avenue to explore my creativity that got sort of shot down early on in my life. One of my main fixations seems to be learning different RPG systems. It's fascinating to me that there are so many different rules and mechanics for different games that all seek the same core goal: To create a living, breathing world for players to explore and interact with. It's like seeing the source code for an entire universe laid out before my eyes in a way that's easy to understand.
@@TheADHDM OMG its really you!! THANKS for the reply also I have to apologize, you were totally right it turns out the browser on my phone was super out of date, so I finally updated it and it works (LOL egg on my face) Seriously thank you though for the reply and tech support too (the only question is how long have I been missing out on all those youtube links in the videos O_O )
I've got ADHD and I feel like my brain is always in a fantasy world. The great thing about D&D is that I can bring that fantasy to life. At work I'm constantly thinking of new ways to run a game, and new characters to make. And I apply my own experiences and challenges, and I put that into my games. It's cool someone actually made a video about this, because I never really thought about how my D&D obsession might be linked to ADHD.
Just wanted to say great video, it's inspiring to me that there are more and more people out there that can see the benefits of this great hobby beyond it just being a hobby.
First video I saw by you. Love the energy, and the authenticity. I am almost certainly ADHD and LLI, and might also be on the spectrum. In any case, I've designed TTRPGs for decades and love it. There is always something new to examine and create. I love that you hit RPGs, psychology, neurodiversity, and meaning of life all in one homogenous presentation. It made my day.
As a 43 year old, who is ADHD, Dyslexic, and probably does have austism, When I got the rest of the diagnoses 30 years ago, it wasn't a big thing, but realising just how much my dad running Roleplay games for me and sisters actually helped me is scary. I can function in the world but I have bad and good days, but it taken a long time to get there.
I am almost positive that I have ADHD... I both met my life partner across a D&D table, they are also Neurodivergent... And we sell dice and D&D supplies together. Roleplaying games are practically our lifeblood! I never realized there could be a connection to our mental health though. These are some incredible observations here! Thank you!
oh. that's why. D&D has been the best, I always knew I'd love it but haven't tried playing before earlier this year and I loved it even more than I could've imagined. It keeps me going ever since. It's so weird that the real situation keeps getting worse, but at least I finally have a nice place now. Started writing a lot again, even drawing stuff which was basically impossible for a couple of years, found friends, belbelehhbeh etc etc. It's great. This is probably the time that I need it the most and I'm thankful that I stumbled into it when I did.
Saw the thumbnail that specified dms, and didn't read the actual title, and immediately went, "world building is a quick and easy source of a lot of little dopamine hits in rapid succession." Ive only played a little dnd, and haven't dmed (yet), but i am a chronic sufferer of wordbuilders disease, so maaayybe i projected a tiiinny bit.
> Worldbuilders disease Every ten minutes, worldbuilders disease causes a dungeon master somewhere in the world to miss a scheduled appointment. For pennies a day, you could save a dungeon master from this fate. Thank you for watching!!!
Thank you. Did not think I would hear most of my life described to me in a D&D video today. Currently in the process of discovering and accepting that I have ADHD. (In my country it's just about part of the culture to misunderstand meaning of ADHD and to think this can only be a problem for children.) And currently hyperfocusing on D&D and everything I can read and learn around it... So your experience/descriptions really hit it for me😅
GREAT video. I find one of the hardest things to do is describing how ADHD affects me on a daily basis. This video pretty much hits it on the head, again and again.
Well I have a group that calls all our sessions ADHD&D. We are definitely a herd of cats. That said, there are so many things in the hobby that can really help my ADHD. The hyperfocus to prepping a scenario or campaign. The euphoria of buying new minis and paints. Using table top craft project to collect random weird bits and bobs. 😂 It's a wonderful place I can thrive and be accepted and even embraced for my quirks. Good video, glad it came up on my recommended.
FANTASTIC (on so many levels) ... And so very well put together and expressed!!! As someone who's been enjoying D&D and the TTRPG world since the early 80's, I can attest to how perfectly D&D/TTRPG's support my inner life and augment/facilitate the rest of my life, especially now that my professional life is connected to that D&D/TTRPG world. Powerful, concise, insightful, fun, uplifting ... just awesome. Thanks for much for creating and sharing this!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you so much! It's really amazing to hear that you can connect to this! I appreciate you taking the time to watch, and leave this very kind comment.
I only recently discovered I have ADHD and DND has been an incredible blessing through this journey! I’m working on establishing myself in a similar way to you, but still at the beginning working on skills through running my first campaign. I feel this video in my soul.
You pretty much described all the issues I've had IRL, and why I ended up getting in to TTRPGs, especially DMing. I've been looking through your other videos as well, and they're really helpful! You've got my sub!
This video is hitting at such a good time for me (especially the last couple of minutes of it). I’m starting a new job next week and in addition to being a fresh start with the opportunity to “reshape my environment to one that makes me feel like myself”, the position itself feels like a really good match and comes with the freedom to bring more of myself into it. I’m going to keep this video in mind and be deliberate about blasting my hyper fixations into my work!
My wife and I both have ADHD, and so do our kids. My wife shifted her hyper-focus into becoming a youth worker to help kids with ASD and ADHD using D&D (So. MANY. Ds!!!!) to teach them how to manage these symptoms. Totally forwarding this to her.
Just finding your channel, and thank you for this!! I feel really validated, and as a mental health practitioner for neurodivergent youth, you got everything right here. I can't wait to show my clients that play!
The spooky algorithm brought me here and kind of glad it did. As I am getting back into D&D and other ttrpg's. Somehow am going to be a DM soon. Boy do I feel this within those few hours where my autistic brain doesn't overthink unless put on the spot for my character.
This video was suggested via personal attack by the UA-cam algorithm. That being said, you hit every nail on the head, and I feel so validated and seen. Thank you for making it.
Thank you for watching!
It's good to feel some goblin brain solidarity out here
@@TheADHDMof course! I’m part of a Discord run by a D&D TikToker who is ND, and all of us were talking about this as well. We have our own little goblin camp of sorts, but it’s always good to meet and connect with others.
Side note: I’ve always said I’m a Dice goblin, but I guess I’m more goblin-esque than expected? Lol
@@feitocomfruta if your statblock has Nimble Escape that's a dead giveaway
Agreed. I feel called out and seen at the exact same time
This comment was fed to me via a personal attack by the UA-cam algorithm. That being said damn you stole my thought I could of had but you hot it on the head
Not to mention how friendly D&D is to "hobby hopping." There are so many "sub-hobbies" within D&D that allow you do do whatever your brain wants to do without getting bored. Whether that's worldbuilding, reading source books, making terrain, cartography, making insane player builds, or something else. D&D can give you the much needed dopamine rush even after one thing stops giving the dopamine to you.
Yes 100%!!
I actually cut a portion of this video where I talked about how D&D lets me write, make music, sculpt, draw, and even cook some weeks
Thank you for watching!!!
Fully agreed.
This is also why I love my Narrative Designer job. I can bounce between various writing, and game design tasks when my current task is starting to drag, so I can continue my momentum with little downtime.
Oh you are so right! DnD made me get into leather crafting (binder for all of my things), clay crafting (terrain and props), drawing (fan art from our sessions as well as characters), sewing (cosplay) and as you said, making characters, worldbuilding, researching cool magical items etc.
Sabine, yes! The sheer number of PROPS that come from ADHD gaming tables is astounding, it's so good! I think there's something really special about having something to wear or carry that represents a hyperfixation, and narrowing that even further to embodying a specific character, it just does something so powerful
@@TheADHDM That's an interesting view on it, to represent a hyperfixation. For me it is mainly a way to circumvent the crushing boredom without much meaning :D
I'm stopping here to give this a view and a like and a comment because I will watch later when my hyperfocus isn't taking over from my DM prep LMAO
Oh wow, I'm excited for you to see it! I absolutely did a triple take on this notification. Thanks for boosting the ADHD signal, you are a force for good!
Yooooo the thumbnail actually summoned Jacob!
I'm a DM, I do not have ADHD, but all my players do, most are also on the spectrum. Even though I will never understand their neurodivergence, I've seen how much DND has helped them outside of the game. I've been friends with them for years now and I'm so glad TTRPGs have bonded all of us together. I'm happy I can provide them a place of support and understanding even if it is fighting fake monsters and yelling numbers over an overcrowded coffee table every week
That's awesome! Thanks for DMing, and for watching!
This is the exact same thing with myself. I’m neurotypical and all of my players are either neurodivergent or have some form of struggle with mental health. I love elaborate storytelling while world building for my players. I keep them focused with tasks and the plot if it starts to get off the rails. I also love their creativity and their ability to think outside the box. I feel like this is part of the reason for how we’re able to stay interested in our year long campaign thus far.
It's DMS like you that let us play! Tysm
how does a normal person behave?
"Just do it" was my dads favorite expression. It triggers me to this day, even when I say it myself.
Thank you so much for watching.
Yeah I have been through a lot of therapy and I consider myself to be pretty adept at managing ADHD but hooooooo boy if one of my parents (or someone who reminds me of them) breaks out the "you're not trying hard enough" it sends my brain back in time about twenty years
@@TheADHDM "You're just being lazy" and "It's not that hard at all" does similar things for me.
Same thing for me. I hate these words so much cause they are the 3 word manifestation of a lot of sadness and frustration from my past
Mine is "wahhh," mimicking a baby crying. My dad responded with that basically any time I didn't like anything.
@@brookejon3695 That spikes my blood pressure just imagining it
"oh you just do it" complete with the well duh look. I know that feeling. I hate myself after it.
The "oh they for real have something I don't" moment is brutal
@@TheADHDM I grew up being told I'm just a lazy jerk. I was never diagnosed so I was treated as neurotypical and people if I failed their expectations. I think my parents gave up hope that I'd ever succeed in my teens and kept their expectations low.
I'm feeling that way too hard. I hope you're in a better environment
My entire childhood.
much, thanks mate @@TheADHDM
As another AuADHD DM… yes.
In my late 20’s and early 30’s I was so done with life. When I hit 33 frankly the thought of living the rest of my life was exhausting and terrifying. I couldn’t understand how people operated every day.
I explained it to a friend as this: “I didn’t have the same structures, rules and social cues in real life as I do when I play or DM D&D. I often don’t know that the reason why I’m scrolling UA-cam on the couch rather than doing the dishes is because my initiative is low, or that I can’t focus at work because I’m out of spell slots and need a rest, or that the way I replenish my spell slot or Ki points is to do things I love, eat some food or take my meds.
Living the last 35 years of my life then discovering at 34 that the reason why shit is so hard is cause I’m Autistic and have ADHD, is like someone handing me the fkn PHB for the first time instead of criticising me for not knowing the rules that everyone else has played for and has ingrained in their brains their whole lives.”
> someone handing me the PHB
Yes!! "Oh this is what all these numbers on my character sheet mean, I've been playing a tank but that's not even my build"
Thank you so much for watching
I was homeschooled and even before I was diagnosed the "everyone else has a rulebook I don't have" feeling was massively overwhelming and TTRPGs were a way to make situations make sense
Wow. The sentence "I felt unfit to survive and thrive in this world" just unlocked a achievement in my brain somehow. You put into words how I felt like 3 years ago. (I now get ADHD meds and am far better but DANG)
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you're doing better now
Bro that’s how I feel now
@@TheCaptPotato I hope that you are able to look back on this comment soon, from a place of fulfilled needs and the room to be yourself without much self regulation
i started crying in this part because I relate so much
I’m not ADHD I don’t think but I grew up in such a toxic environment where mistakes were met with emotional abuse, that I have a lot of the same insecurities he shares
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience! That kind of trauma is definitely not exclusive to ADHD. I hope you have a place to practice being you without having to navigate all of that.
Thank you for this. I'm 55 and in the "pre" diagnosed stage with autism. In the US, it's hard to get a screening after 25, but my doc and my therapist both said "Ohhhh. That makes SO much sense". I was worried about starting in with D&D at my age - seems a little silly no? But I was told that I would find my community there. And I did. It's the most positive validation I've had in, well, ever.
That's amazing! I'm glad you gave D&D a shot, thank you for watching!
I don't know where to start, I'm in tears so I'm struggling to type. I started watching this video because I was curious about the ADHD DM thing, I just wanted to learn. And instead you described me, you described how I have felt my entire life. I've been called lazy so many times I've started to believe it, I've been told I need to apply myself so often I thought I was just lazy. No one has ever described me as well as you, a complete stranger, has managed to do. Thank you.
It means a lot to me that you were able to relate. I appreciate you sharing, and thank you for watching!
holy crap. having lived with depression for my 42 years, and only realizing i have ADHD in the last 5 years, (As do both my parents, much to their disbelief) this makes so much sense. I got into D&D about 12 years ago and just hyperfixared on it and never stopped. my kids, both ADHD like me are both really into it as well. my wife? neurotypical, and just doesnt find the game fun at all, (but is very suppurtive and makes amazing snacks for sessions). this is such a great video. thank you. Im rambling sorry, but man this is a lot to absorb.
Thank you so much for watching!
I'm glad these experiences could resonate with you!
You weren't rambling. I'm happy for you. I want a wife and kids so bad, yet I'm only 16. I am so happy you have kids to play with, and a supporting wife.
I actually made the move to get diagnosed and seek treatment for ADHD *because* picking up D&D again at the age of 54, when I told one of my players how I felt overwhelmed no matter how much prep I did, and joked about having ADHD, and one player said I should actually do something about it. Thank you D&D!
Amazing! I'm glad you were able to get what you needed
Thank you for watching!
Great job and inspiring. Old Dyslexic artist/teacher here. Our big D&D club at school does include some wonderfully creative neurodivergent folks. I didn’t realize myself back in high school that D&D was so therapeutic to my thinking and positively reinforced the process of self-discovery. But I do now, thanks to being a teacher. Nice to find this channel. Keep it it! J
Thank you very much for watching, comments like this get me so pumped up!
I don’t have ADHD, but I do have Autism and boy did dnd help me understand and develop my social skills, when everything else just didn’t work.
It allowed to look at what other people understand why, groups are helpful, and why its needed to be happy (my oldest friend group now is my first real dnd group)
So what you just said is spot on. For how dnd impacted me as a person.
I'm so glad that you resonated with that TTRPG experience! Thank you so much for watching!!!
You...just got yourself a sub. Just wow....I literally am in tears right now. I have tried many hobbies in my 30 years of living and TTRPG (DMing primarily) has been my longest running at 8 year now. I recently was diagnosed with ADHD, put on medication that has cleared some of the "fog" in my head and it came to me the other day the reason I love TTRPGs is that I get to do a bunch of different tasks at different speeds and it all come together into a fun time around the table with friends. I can hyperfixate when I want to, procrastinate when I need to and in the end the story still goes on and I am still happy.
More coverage on this would be great as I am working to build a small collaborative network of creatives in my local area where I can share these thoughts and ideas so people understand its ok to be who and how you are and feel safe just being themselves.
> I can hyperfixate when I want to, procrastinate when I need to
Yes! That's such a perfect description of that value, I can't possibly emphasize enough how incredible it is to have that kind of environment
Thank you so much for watching, and I'm stoked to hear that you're benefiting from treatment! I'll see you in the next video, you're awesome.
I was just diagnosed with ASHD and this video explains A LOT. I've been feeling like an absolute failure for a lot of my life, in many ways I still feel that. I am trying to unlearn those negative titles that I adopted for myself from my experience diving head first into jobs and studies and failing miserably over and over.
I've been playing RPGs for over a decade and I feel safe there. I'm still learning about myself and it's a hell of a ride.
I'm glad the video could speak to some of your experience! Thank you very much for watching
@@TheADHDM It helps a lot. I started crying halfway through the video because I felt seen in a completely new way for me. It resonated hard.
Thank you so much for this.
P.s I also think the video is also extremely well made on a technical level, the writing, editing and delivery of it al is just good an effective.
@@TalLikesThat That kind of praise means a ton! You rock!
Awesome work - great video! I'm autistic rather than diagnosed with ADHD, but you are so right pointing out those 4 principles of what humans seek in life and what us neurodivergent bros are actually getting through TTRPGs, especially GMing
Thank you very much for watching!
neurodivergent bros unite 🤝💪
I'm 42 and just recently finding out I have ADHD. Now I'm starting the process of getting an official diagnosis so I can get on meds. I also just found tabletop a few years ago and my god it's been wonderful. This is all to say, thank you so much for this video because I have never felt so seen.
Thank you very much for watching, and for sharing, comments like this get me so excited about the D&D and neurodivergent communities, you're awesome!
Mans validated every feeling I've had about myself without ever meeting me or even knowing I exist. Thanks for this.
Thank you so much for watching! I'm happy this could speak to your experiences (and sorry, too, because those experiences can be ROUGH)
@@TheADHDM Nah honestly thank you dude! actually feel like I do have a place in the world now! Am about to start DM'in for the first time aswell, this really gave me a confidence boost.
@@srego7630 Aaaah that's awesome! Good luck!
Queer, gifted, autistic, ADHDer here. I got bullied a LOT in school 😅
I'm only recently starting to unlearn the stories I've told myself, *about myself* , my whole life. How I'm lazy. How I'm weird or boring. How I'm unlovable.
None of it's true; I was just trying to assimilate in world that is intrinsically hostile to people like me.
> assimilate in a world that's intrinsically hostile
In another comment someone had said that at least in TTRPG they have the tools to navigate a hostile world and a safe place to celebrate after, and that hits pretty hard
Thank you for watching!
I decided to go to bed and sleep at midnight and naturally, I watched the second episode of BG3 cast DnD and it's now 4AM. This is sooooo accurate and I needed this. Thank you, a fellow AuDHDer 💖
I'm watching the second episode right now! This is my sign to go to bed actually. Thank you for watching!
Fantastic video, man! As an adult-diagnosed ADHD brain, (who's also an aspiring D&D UA-camr and forever DM), this really made my day. You're so right about RPGs giving us a safe place to explore. Also Ape Escape music makes me cry, so thanks for that. Subbed!
Thank you for watching!!!
And respect for recognizing the Ape Escape music lol
*This might be the most wholesome comment section in all of UA-cam*
I have been pleasantly surprised!
Thank you for watching!
I am a DM, diagnosed with BPD and medicated for 8 years. Every day is a fight to maintain emotional normalcy and I was raised in a hyperconservative environment that blamed my illness on videogames and drugs. I lived in material excess but was routinely threatened with violence. This made having any legitimacy to my illness impossible. This led to many attempts on myself and eventual hospitalization.
Now I am a dad and a successful DM. I have 2 dogs, 3 cats, a beautiful wife, and we live in a small house semi paycheck to paycheck. I have never been happier. To those in similar situations - it will get better. Don't let people who refuse to take responsibility for how their actions stay in your life. You deserve to be cared for and you deserve to be considered a person by those who say they love you.
Thank you so much for sharing this, it is so hard to believe that there is anything beyond the spiral of emotional (and literal) debt we incur in hostile environments
And thank you for watching!!!
It's nice to see this, I am neuro-divergent but because it's not well understood it's not obvious and because I'm so cognizant it isn't taken seriously. I'm 38 and struggle with chronic homelessness. I do what I can to keep myself occupied as often as possible. I've formed a kind of tunnel vision between me, my minimum wage job and my entertainment. Unfortunately, I woke up today and my laptop just doesn't work anymore. This has been devastating and I am still reeling from it. My situation is too embarrassing to be part of any community and I of course have no one around me that actually understands any of this... also I have no idea why I'm venting here.
Hey, first of all I appreciate you taking the time to watch this video.
There are a lot of labels that get thrown around, both for ND folks, and for anyone in those circumstances that lead to homelessness. I hope you know that being tired without accommodation doesn't make you lazy, and that no matter what messaging you're getting, externally and internally, you deserve to love what you love with abandon, and feel like yourself.
First, I love learning more about my ND brain, what a crazy little organ. You're so very compassionate. Second, the clown part gets me every fucking time. It's part of my personality now.
The ADHD deniers have already lost, for they are the clowns
Very well said. The "disability" is just a label...when you let it be just that. You just have to find or create your own solutions to your own problems as every person is unique.
Thank you for watching!
Of course it helps when the people around you can be made aware of your needs, so some of that can be provided, especially at home, school, and work. But we definitely can't count on that.
ADHD evolved for a reason and it spread through the human gene pool and stayed there because it's evolutionary useful for the population.
We were never meant for administration or scheduling for the social group, but now we ended up with a social structure in which everyone is left to do their own administration stuff. It's really no different from a world in which shelves go higher than many people can reach.
> but now we ended up with a social structure in which everyone is left to do their own administration stuff
The normative development of infrastructure has definitely done a number on those outside the norm!
Thank you for watching
This was a great explanation for at least some of the reasons why _D&D_ (and TTRPGs in general) have become my own personal hyperfixation. Even at 50, I still feel like I'm not suited for survival in this world because I seem to lack that ineffable quintessence that neurotypicals appear to be born with which allows them to function and thrive in regular everyday life. As a DM, I feel like I have something that I've developed mastery over, something about which I feel highly skilled which enables me to provide hours of entertainment for my friends. ADHD and depression mean there are days when I'm not up to the task of running a session, but on the whole TTRPGs allow me to feel like a competent human being who can contribute something of worth; something that very few other areas of my life offer.
That feeling of competence is so important to feeling healthy! I'm really glad that TTRPGs are a place that make you feel like yourself. Thank you so much for watching
For me personally, I feel like playing those games where there is danger involved and the possibility to die, and seeing how one is able to move forward in the face of danger has inspired me to try and do things even if if doesn't feel safe. For me personally, as a non-binary trans auDHD person, life feeling safe seems like such a distant, unachievable thing. Seeing that so many things are actual options of what you can do, it helps me pave my own path.
> like feeling safe seems like such a distant, unachievable thing
Yes! Exactly. Giving that unease a statblock or save DC and overcoming it is so powerful. Not like, literally adapting it into a monster and fighting it but, the feeling of overcoming a vampire spellcaster or hobgoblin warband leader sends signals to the brain that I can overcome other stuff too
How are you trans if you don't fit in the gender binary?
As always, you're the coolest. Everything you do is good for the soul.
Thank you so much! Looking forward to your next upload!!!
when you started talking about how our needs aren't met, i almost cried not gonna lie. it's so depressing, but i feel so understood.
and d&d has absolutely changed my life for the better. i am confident, creative, and can take charge of a situation when necessary and all of that was definitely improved (if not caused) by playing and running d&d. and there is nothing in this world more satisfying to me than ending a game i had fun running and having my players say they loved it too. even just thinking about it is making me feel really happy and i've had an incredibly shitty emotional day.
Aaah! This fires me up so much!
Thank you for sharing, and for watching!
Oh my gods I feel so unbelievably SEEN.
Having the right environment (I have my dream job at a good place that values its people) does WONDERS for everything in an ADHD mind. Which is really important for me, since the meds aren't good for me (messes up my sleep schedule, cranks my anxiety, etc).
Thank you for watching, I'm so stoked you resonated with this!
@@TheADHDM Your keen insight and incredible delivery can't help but resonate. :P Well made video!
Concerta effed me so hard I lost my appetite and struggled to eat. I literally couldn't make myself eat. I feel the med pain.
@@xenosayain1506 concerta flashbacks right now, turned me into a zombie
@@TheADHDM oof, I know that feeling. I went back on it for my last exam season, and as soon as I stopped taking it... Instant withdrawal, only had like 50% of my brainpower for almost a month afterwards.
I'm really happy for the people that it works for, but it doesn't work for my particular brain chemistry.
the drum breaks while explaining things did things to my brain that I didnt think possible thanks for the serotonin
Drum and bass music is available without prescription, please apply to affected area as needed.
Thank you for watching!
Yes, I self medicate with copious amounts of DnB (and its various sub-genres)! (check out the “cool music” and “cool mixes” playlists on my channel for an insight into what calms my brain) 🎧🔉🔊🔊
This hit a lot harder than I thought it was going to, I have always felt like this world was not for me being queer, AuAdhd, and struggling with a handful of mental health issues I was convinced I wouldn't make it past 18. I still feel that way some days. It's nice to have your problems not minimized and instead finding someone with first hand experience. Dnd has been a life saver for me. Thanks for the video, subscribed ❤
Thank you so much for sharing that, and for the sub! Hearing that these experiences are reaching people means more to me than watching any amount of youtube numbers going up
Great Video, As an Omni-tasking ADHDM myself This does explain alot.
That's awesome to hear(read?)! Thank you for watching!
This video really resonated with me! Your a musician with explanations and stuck a chord!
Your metaphor about my metaphors was also great!
thank you for watching!
ADHD Gm here! Never thought about it this way. Thanks, man!
There are literally DOZENS of us!
Thank you for watching!
When i first got medication for my ADHD (at 34) all i could think was, "you mean to tell me everyone else can function like this ALL THE TIME?!"
TTRPGs have been my fixation for 6 years now. I found that i enjoy playing, but LOVE running the game as DM. So much to keep track of and juggle and create - its like my brain gets to swim in sweet, sweet happy juice for hours. Im exhausted afterward, but its worth it.
Diagnosed with ADD at damn near 40.
I feel all of this
Thank you very much for watching!
May your enemies fumble even as you crit
I am ADHD, and I absolutely suck as a GM. My lack of being able to make decisions is just bad. I like creating worlds, but my world's are kinda weird. Most of my friends really don't want to be in them, the only one that did was my roomie, who passed away. But I can see how people can find solace in it. He was on the spectrum, and was the most awesome GM I have ever had, his worlds were so amazingly fleshed out, with lore that he wrote that the PCs may never see. But he still wanted it because it explained some other random information that explained yet more down the line.
I am sorry to hear that your friend passed away. It's a rare thing to be able to offer one another solace.
Thank you for sharing that with me.
@@TheADHDM found this video on accident, gotta love the algorithm. But it does make so much sense. And thank you. It's been hard, but trying to pick up the pieces.
WOW Thank you so much for this video. I have ADHD and ASD and play so much D&D with so many of my similarly wired friends.
Thank you for watching, and for sharing!!! I'm glad the video could resonate with your experiences
This made me happy, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching
You just described how my brain works better than I could ever figure out how to put into words. It's actually a wonderful gift, thank you!
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me!!
I love your perspective of using passion to influence your work. I’m a teacher and I’m autistic (and a DM) and a big component of my teaching philosophy is incorporating all of my nerd interests and curiosities into my teaching because my passion makes my lessons more engaging and interactive. My students love this because they can tell I care about them and the lesson. You are absolutely right about using hyper fixation and passion to power your work, it really does make a difference. Thanks for the video!
Holy smokes that means a lot, thank you! And thank you for watching!
@@TheADHDM Happy to support. Keep up the good work!
I feel kinship with the diagnostic term adhdm.
Literally feels good man
Thank you for watching!
I extend the ADHDM mantle to all who would wield it
@@TheADHDM also, I just discovered Obsidian, a "personal wiki" is SO AMAZING.
I started using it for my d&d world, and now I want to put data from my work into it.
Hey. Thank you for that. I have found it pretty difficult to express why I find so much comfort in playing silly make believe games, but hearing you explain this has helped me concrete in my mind that our stories in game have real world value. Functioning in an environment where I have control gives me so much liberty. Thank you.
Thank you for watching, and for sharing!
May your enemies crit fail
As another Skylar in your shoes, who’s DM’d professionally and as a hobby for years, I’m so happy the UA-cam algorithm brought me here. Thank you.
SkylArs and SkylErs have to stick together.
It's the Tylers you have to watch out for.
Thank you so much for watching!
@@TheADHDM if you see a Tylar, run.
I saw one six years ago and I’m still running.
@JACKSTAY 🏃 I'm running from that very concept
For me, I have severe ADHD, and D&D has never let me down.
The inability of my brain to follow through something to completion, has never put me in any type of mood. I guess its because technically D&D is never finished and that allows my brain to relax and just go with it.
What people do not understand about ADHD, because of pop culture and waaay too many people who 'claim' they have it has lead rise to all these negative and completely false attributations for ADD/ADHD. (the name doesn't help either as it is not correct)
In the end the ADHD isn't about actual deficit of attention, it is that our brains are literally wired wrong to follow through. What looks like a short term attention of procrastination is just our brain being unable to complete X before it wants to go to Y.
also.. my hyperfocus is short women... I have no idea why but when I see a girl who is short (like under 5 foot) my brain is all "Yes please, i need to know all about that" my brain is just not right in the head. and it makes me say thing like instead of "hello, or god bless you" i say "WOW your tiny!" "How tall are you?"
>in the end ADHD isn't about actual deficit of attention
yeah the verbiage totally feels like someone without ADHD saying "It's super annoying and inconvenient to me that you don't listen. It can't be about how I communicate. No, surely it can't be."
Apologies if this is rather off topic, but one thing I've found that really helped with my ADHD was my first psychedelic experience. It didn't "cure" it by any means, but it allowed me to sort out a lot of the underlying tensions and traumas, untangle some wires and get things hooked up properly again.
I still have ADHD, and it's still a struggle, but now I'm much better at building context for myself and understanding how my motivations work.
For the sake of public facing comments and monetization, no comment.
Buuuuut it's really amazing to hear that you've attained some self-actualization. Thank you for watching!
realizing that I want to live in a fantasy world not because it's pretty but because it allows me to feel worth something in a world that's suited to the way my brain thinks? yeah I'm crying my eyes out rn
Thank you for watching, and I'm glad the vid could help you feel seen
Well heck. As the DM of the D6 channel, I can 100% relate to this. I also am diagnosed with ADHD. And I cannot tell you how much D&D has saved my life and creative process.
I hadn't heard of the d6 channel! I'll have to check it out!!!
@@TheADHDM We look forward to you watching our games. We just started out next campaign. We take the the seas of the world my creation, and we hope to see you join us.
As a recent-diagnosed-with-autism-and-ADHD person, I can't express how seen I felt by your testimonial. It was like I was doing the video (if I wasn't so introvert to create a UA-cam channel :D). Thank you for sharing.
I'm so happy that you connected with it! Thank you for watching.
So glad your video was in my recommended. Loved it, subbed!
Nice! Thanks for watching, and thank you VERY much for subbing!
Man, I had subscribed earlier because I loved your takes, but being in just about the exact same position as you (the only difference being a small age gap) and seeing this really hit home, thanks for verbalizing this in such a significant way. I actually sent the video to my ma lol.
Thank you for watching! I am both so glad and so sorry that you can relate lol
@TheADHDM lol it's a journey! But I'm closer to 30 than 20 so I've been trying to get things back to a level of control, starting with making my environment reflect my passions. The drop of this vid was awesome because I just had a great talk about these things with my therapist, so it was the kind of coincidence that made me suddenly feel more steady in my direction. Cheers my brotha
BROTHER, I knew about these core human needs from my studies as an education major, but for some reason I have never considered that they're the reason that I love D&D so much!
Thank you for watching!! I'm glad it resonated with you!
@@TheADHDM Just one more thing about dnd that resembles my actual future career. Writing up a lesson plan is just prepping a session, but with more government interference!
> government interference
The worst rules lawyers lmao
I don't think I've ever needed to hear something more then this in my entire life. TTwTT Thank you for making this video!
Thank you so much, that mean a lot!
And thank you for watching
Hey, I love this video! Ive been listening to a bunch of self help books and videos and then this random recommendation spoke more directly to the heart of my struggle in about 5 minutes than all of their advice combined.
Oh my gosh that makes me so happy! Thank you for watching.
Omg I needed this so much. I'm entering my depression arc, paying way too much money for the extra years that my degree is taking, not finding a job to make up for it, not even having the money to get diagnosed, in a country that by the way I was forced to emmigrate to, feeling more and more hopeless to one day being a functioning adult... Stuff like this reminds me that there's hope :) Genuinely, thank you. Immediate sub. Now I just need friends to play DnD lolll wish me luck
Thank you so much for watching.
Hang in there. What you need is in the dungeon.
@@TheADHDM Amen brother :) thank you for making awesome content 💥
I found my stride with bartending, which caters to ADHD timing, pays well, and gives you time off to play dnd.
@@ChazTheYouthful I love bartending or working espresso bars when the pace is CRAZY but the second it slows down I'm in agony
@@ChazTheYouthful ooohh I've been thinking about that a lot actually, I thrive in chaos but I feel like I'd forget all of the orders 😂
Great job with the edit! So good!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching.
I myself am an ADHD Autism DnD DM. DnD is... everything. Almost. Creativity is what i need. I genuenly get depressed if i dont do enough things like worldbuilding. Its just... I just love it.
Yes! If I don't hit my game prep quota (even if I'm not going to use it) it's like I missed a meal
Thank you for watching!
@@TheADHDM Exactly! And when I get to talk about it... well, that kind of is my heaven in a way. Amazing video by the way, can't wait for the next one!
I look forward to each of your videos more than I do to channels I’m subbed to with 1 million subs. You’re like short-form Matt Colville crossed with a therapist tailored to my needs LMAO
Thank you so much!! Can I put that on my resume lmao
I absolutely loved this; it’s a short video but it gets so much right. As a person with ADHD I fell in love with dnd about 8 months ago and it has been such an incredible outlet being a dungeon master and getting a dopamine rush every time I get a good idea. It’s sadly true that it won’t be as fun sometimes. I still have yet to have a successful campaign and failed dramatically trying to get two sides of friends to mesh for a campaign that did not last long but even though I would be stressed going into the sessions planning a story that would actually go further than my sketch book was amazing for me and helped me learn to be more motivated and have confidence in myself to actually get things done. When I first mentioned starting a campaign I never thought I would do it but sure enough within the next month I had a party and after two more months I had my first ever dnd session. It was a total fail but the process of planning it alone and the excitement was good enough for me X)
> It was a total fail but the process of planning it alone and the excitement was good enough
That's amazing! And I feel like the momentum of prep, and how fun it is, can carry pretty dang far.
Thank you for watching!
This reminds me of a conversation from Sea of Stars:
"I cannot do it like everyone else. Everyone likes it, but not me. Everything was made only for others. When I try they say 'He is not good!" So I give up and then they say "He is lazy!"
It's extremely vindicating to hear from people who are going through the same experience.
This video came for me in ways I did not expect (thanks yt)😂🙈
I've only ever DM'ed oneshots (and wrote the first one myself because I was overwhelmed by the sheer length of pre-written oneshots) but I'm also part of a campaign that's been running for 4+ years. I've genuinely made an effort to connect with my fellow players and we've also become friends outside of the group, but what really helped me (as someone with diagnosed ADHD and anxiety (and a bonus 'you might also want to get checked for autism' when getting said ADHD diagnosis last year)) is just that D&D is scheduled social time. Through the years I learned to cope with ADHD through rigorous planning, so at some point I had two jobs, two masters, a board membership, as well as a position at another organisation. D&D was something that needed to be planned so I would always make time in my schedule for that. At this point I just have my job, but the homebrew world is a sort of sandbox I just get to play in, and I look forward to every single session🙌
Yes, you're 100% right! Having that time set aside is like the framework that supports so many things
It's also funny how counterintuitive it seems to people that ADHD can require such a routine. Like yes, I want to hang out, but unfortunately if my routine is compromised I will dissolve.
Thank you for watching!!
I just discovered this channel and this video just hits home. Thank you.
Thank YOU for watching, and for taking the time to comment! I appreciate it!
As a fellow Goblin-Brained DM/GM who creates content when possible, yeah this checks out.
Subbed and liked, you have some fun swooshy animations/sounds that makes me realize I should expand my own style a bit further. And time to go and consume all your other vids.
Hey thank you so much! That's amazing! I see you've got a lot of PF2E stuff, I'll have to check it out!
You summarized it so well with the "feeling unfit to survive/like an alien in an unfamiliar world" thing. I feel that so often in my daily life. Feeling like if I was like everyone else, I'd somehow find the key to happiness and belonging that all the normal people seem to find so simple.
I've taken up TTRPGs as an avenue to explore my creativity that got sort of shot down early on in my life. One of my main fixations seems to be learning different RPG systems. It's fascinating to me that there are so many different rules and mechanics for different games that all seek the same core goal: To create a living, breathing world for players to explore and interact with. It's like seeing the source code for an entire universe laid out before my eyes in a way that's easy to understand.
> like seeing the source code
Yes! It's a level of competence and awareness that's hard to convey
Thank you for watching!
7:56 the video link never made it in... the ADHD got me! Jk I seriously have it too, really, truly, medically
Thank you for watching!
(If the end screen element didn't show up for real, it might be an account setting)
@@TheADHDM OMG its really you!! THANKS for the reply also I have to apologize, you were totally right it turns out the browser on my phone was super out of date, so I finally updated it and it works (LOL egg on my face) Seriously thank you though for the reply and tech support too (the only question is how long have I been missing out on all those youtube links in the videos O_O )
I've got ADHD and I feel like my brain is always in a fantasy world. The great thing about D&D is that I can bring that fantasy to life. At work I'm constantly thinking of new ways to run a game, and new characters to make. And I apply my own experiences and challenges, and I put that into my games. It's cool someone actually made a video about this, because I never really thought about how my D&D obsession might be linked to ADHD.
> my brain is always a fantasy world
Perfect description. I value that time with my own boundless inner self so much
Thank you for watching!
Just wanted to say great video, it's inspiring to me that there are more and more people out there that can see the benefits of this great hobby beyond it just being a hobby.
I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!
I've met so many awesome people playing D&D and it's INSANE how many of us have ADHD
First video I saw by you. Love the energy, and the authenticity. I am almost certainly ADHD and LLI, and might also be on the spectrum. In any case, I've designed TTRPGs for decades and love it. There is always something new to examine and create. I love that you hit RPGs, psychology, neurodiversity, and meaning of life all in one homogenous presentation. It made my day.
Holy smokes thank you so much, comments like this make MY day!
As a 43 year old, who is ADHD, Dyslexic, and probably does have austism, When I got the rest of the diagnoses 30 years ago, it wasn't a big thing, but realising just how much my dad running Roleplay games for me and sisters actually helped me is scary. I can function in the world but I have bad and good days, but it taken a long time to get there.
It's really cool that your dad did that! That pumps me up so much
Thank you for watching
“This guy gets me” - Me, 2023, immediately after watching this video
Thank you so much! It means a lot that you can connect with some of this
This is exactly why I started the D&D club at my college and now, 12 years later making a show! Hope to connect one day. Thank you for sharing.
Hey thanks for watching! I'll keep an eye out for the show, I'm following the Kickstarter.
@@TheADHDM Thank you! That means the world to me.
I watched exactly 30 seconds. That transition was PEAK comedy 10/10
Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching
Honestly, it was through the dnd community that I actually discovered I had adhd. It made so much of my growing up make a lot more sense.
That's amazing! Thank you for watching
I am almost positive that I have ADHD...
I both met my life partner across a D&D table, they are also Neurodivergent...
And we sell dice and D&D supplies together.
Roleplaying games are practically our lifeblood! I never realized there could be a connection to our mental health though. These are some incredible observations here! Thank you!
That's amazing! Thank you for sharing that, and thank you for watching!
@@TheADHDM
You're quite welcome! 😊😊
When you lay it out like that, it makes a lot of sense. Probably explains why I played so many RPGs to the exclusion of most other types.
Glad it could resonate with you! Thank you for watching
oh. that's why.
D&D has been the best, I always knew I'd love it but haven't tried playing before earlier this year and I loved it even more than I could've imagined. It keeps me going ever since. It's so weird that the real situation keeps getting worse, but at least I finally have a nice place now. Started writing a lot again, even drawing stuff which was basically impossible for a couple of years, found friends, belbelehhbeh etc etc. It's great. This is probably the time that I need it the most and I'm thankful that I stumbled into it when I did.
I am so happy you enjoyed the video!
Thank you very much for watching
Saw the thumbnail that specified dms, and didn't read the actual title, and immediately went, "world building is a quick and easy source of a lot of little dopamine hits in rapid succession." Ive only played a little dnd, and haven't dmed (yet), but i am a chronic sufferer of wordbuilders disease, so maaayybe i projected a tiiinny bit.
> Worldbuilders disease
Every ten minutes, worldbuilders disease causes a dungeon master somewhere in the world to miss a scheduled appointment. For pennies a day, you could save a dungeon master from this fate.
Thank you for watching!!!
Thank you. Did not think I would hear most of my life described to me in a D&D video today.
Currently in the process of discovering and accepting that I have ADHD.
(In my country it's just about part of the culture to misunderstand meaning of ADHD and to think this can only be a problem for children.)
And currently hyperfocusing on D&D and everything I can read and learn around it...
So your experience/descriptions really hit it for me😅
I'm glad it could resonate with you! Thank you for watching
GREAT video. I find one of the hardest things to do is describing how ADHD affects me on a daily basis. This video pretty much hits it on the head, again and again.
I'm glad you could relate! I appreciate you saying so. Thank you for watching.
Know for a couple of months that I got add and been obsessed with ttrpgs for 20 years now. My favorite hobby by far.
Awesome!!! The treasure we seek is indeed in the dungeon, more for us than for most.
Thank you for watching
Damn....that "just apply yourself" is a deep sentence...
thank you for watching!
That picture of Jacob is unnecessarily unflattering but I also happen to love it
It really captures something doesn't it
Thank you for watching
Well I have a group that calls all our sessions ADHD&D. We are definitely a herd of cats. That said, there are so many things in the hobby that can really help my ADHD. The hyperfocus to prepping a scenario or campaign. The euphoria of buying new minis and paints. Using table top craft project to collect random weird bits and bobs. 😂 It's a wonderful place I can thrive and be accepted and even embraced for my quirks.
Good video, glad it came up on my recommended.
Yes! The blissful singularity of hyperfixation
Thank you for watching!!
FANTASTIC (on so many levels) ... And so very well put together and expressed!!! As someone who's been enjoying D&D and the TTRPG world since the early 80's, I can attest to how perfectly D&D/TTRPG's support my inner life and augment/facilitate the rest of my life, especially now that my professional life is connected to that D&D/TTRPG world. Powerful, concise, insightful, fun, uplifting ... just awesome. Thanks for much for creating and sharing this!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you so much! It's really amazing to hear that you can connect to this! I appreciate you taking the time to watch, and leave this very kind comment.
My dude. Another banger. Always loved your vids.
Thank you so much! See you next video haha
I only recently discovered I have ADHD and DND has been an incredible blessing through this journey! I’m working on establishing myself in a similar way to you, but still at the beginning working on skills through running my first campaign. I feel this video in my soul.
Yes!!! Thank you so much for watching, and good luck in your games!
You pretty much described all the issues I've had IRL, and why I ended up getting in to TTRPGs, especially DMing. I've been looking through your other videos as well, and they're really helpful! You've got my sub!
This video is hitting at such a good time for me (especially the last couple of minutes of it). I’m starting a new job next week and in addition to being a fresh start with the opportunity to “reshape my environment to one that makes me feel like myself”, the position itself feels like a really good match and comes with the freedom to bring more of myself into it. I’m going to keep this video in mind and be deliberate about blasting my hyper fixations into my work!
Congrats on the new job, and thank you for watching!!!
BLAST AWAY
very well done
Thank you so much! I appreciate you for watching.
My wife and I both have ADHD, and so do our kids. My wife shifted her hyper-focus into becoming a youth worker to help kids with ASD and ADHD using D&D (So. MANY. Ds!!!!) to teach them how to manage these symptoms. Totally forwarding this to her.
Awesome! Thank you so much for watching and sharing, and holy smokes what a cool thing your wife is doing!
Just finding your channel, and thank you for this!! I feel really validated, and as a mental health practitioner for neurodivergent youth, you got everything right here. I can't wait to show my clients that play!
Thank you, that means a lot to me!
Literally just seeing the title explains a lot to me. Thank you
Thanks for checking it out!
The spooky algorithm brought me here and kind of glad it did. As I am getting back into D&D and other ttrpg's. Somehow am going to be a DM soon. Boy do I feel this within those few hours where my autistic brain doesn't overthink unless put on the spot for my character.
I'm glad you found the video (or did it find you 🎃 👻)
Thanks for watching!
Man this is the most motivational thing I've said all day. Thanks.
Thank you for watching! I'm glad to hear it!
As someone with adhd I didn’t relate to this video.
But I am glad it was short. And I think I got everything I needed just from the title anyways.
Well thanks for watching anyway!
@@TheADHDM pretty interesting observation. I’ll check out the rest of your content.