Comments on: Michael Phelps’ ADHD Hyper Focus Concentration Helps Win Gold Medal in Beijing!

By: Lexiey

Lexiey — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:23:59 +0000

hi i am doing a report on michael phelps and i did not know that he had ADHD and i was very intredded on this subject because someone that has a problem on foceing that takes a lot of determination of wanting something so bad that he made it come true. and he is my idol ever thought i do not have ADHD. thank you michael

By: sherry mulberry

sherry mulberry — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:08:27 +0000

I love Michael Phelps . He was so awesome in the olympics he was like a machine , that just couldn’t be stopped. And yes I love his sister and mom they were great too . His mom looked so proud she looked like was going to burst. And her helping kids with adhd is great. We need more people like both of them as role models for are kids. sherry

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:15:11 +0000

That’s hard to say. Personally, I believe sports to be good for most of us ADDer’s without medication; however, there are some who need it and will benefit from it. Michael Phelps does not take any medication for his ADHD – he did when he was a teen and stopped for his own reasons. In hockey, very quick choices are a must – the question to ask the doctor is will medication help or inhibit those quick choices and reflexes. Some baseball players use ADHD medication; however, they are not flying around the field the entire game and are usually not in danger of being hurt…

By: Kevin Plumb

Kevin Plumb — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:22:03 +0000

My son is a top hockey player I don’t know if it is better for him to be on drugs when playing or be with out. Hockey is a team sport but his skills are extremely strong. Which is better? I read the article on Phelps and I am so happy to see that hyper focus is such a big part of his success is he on drugs when he compets or only in practice? Help

By: Michael Phelps | Neil Peterson

Michael Phelps | Neil Peterson — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:58:40 +0000

[...] remained singularly focused on the task at hand. Many ADHD bloggers have credited this ‘Hyper Focus‘ as a key component of his success as an athlete and is a prime example of how something that [...]

By: Cassy

Cassy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:43:38 +0000

This article totally makes sense. My son who is 5 years old can outplay most adults when it comes to video games. It seems to be the only thing he can literally focus on. It does become a problem some of the time when he wants to play all the time and becomes upset when he can’t. But at the same time it’s amazing how he can actually walk his father (or any other person, for that matter) through a new game after only playing it for a couple of days. I believe he’s going to become a real gamer. And you never know, maybe my son will become a creator in the world of video games! =)

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:32:46 +0000

i have adhd just like michal phelps. i think that if anything his adhd is a big part of the reason he is so successfull. when i play basketball with my adhd in full force i find i can think much much faster and make plays quicker than when im on my meds. And for those of you who did not know adhd has many benifits http://addadhd.suite101.com/article.cfm/positive_aspects_of_adhd_and_add this site lists most of the benifits that adhd contribute to and most people with adhd can relate to all of them. one of the ones is atleticism and he is prob gets his athleticism from his adhd. so people with adhd should know the benifits and use adhd for them and not think of it as a bad thing.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:42:18 +0000

I agree with what you are saying Gina. When I was growing up everyone wanted to be Larry Bird and then Michael Jordan or Joe Montana. So the advice is just as good for those without ADHD too. We should be inspired and motivated, but not at the cost of measuring up to our heroes. Not everyone is going to break world records and not everyone has to in order to find happiness. But, I tell you what, if I could throw the ball like Joe Montana…

By: Gina Pera

Gina Pera — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:28:07 +0000

Great analysis, Bryan, as usual.

Even as I thrill at Michael’s accomplishments, I worry that parents of children with ADHD will now decide against treatment for them and hope against hope that their child can find an object of passion like Michael did.

As you say, being a major swimming competitor is his hyperfocus. Someone else’s might be serial dating and continual dissatisfaction, spending on Ebay, and worse.

Every person–ADHD or not–should be seen as an individual, in my opinion, and not bundled with stereotypes that might not suit them. And I would hope people with ADHD also get a shot at happiness without having to break world records. It seems to be demanding a lot–and I sometimes wonder at the cost.

By: Devika

Devika — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:29:15 +0000

I have ADHD too. I am from India. In my country people are not aware of ADHD. Thank you very much Micheal you are great……