One celebrity with ADHD is Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer who has openly discussed how managing his ADHD helped him focus and achieve unparalleled success, though many others like Simone Biles, Justin Timberlake, Will Smith, and Emma Watson have also shared their experiences.
8 Most Successful People with ADHD
Emma Watson is best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. She is also passionate about gender equality and has spoken at the U.N. She was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 9 years old and has taken medicine to help with this. Emma has described how this has helped her focus.
Johnny Depp is a legendary actor, famous for his diverse roles in films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Edward Scissorhands.” He was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and has faced challenges associated with the condition.
Pop‑icon Justin Timberlake has opened up about his lifelong battle with both Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), shining a spotlight on what it really means to manage neurodiversity alongside fame.
Serena Williams openly discusses her ADHD struggles especially with emotional regulation on the court. Golfer Rory McIlroy perseveres through setbacks by maintaining consistent routines despite ADHD hurdles. NBA icon LeBron James advocates for ADHD awareness and acceptance, combating stigma in the sports community.
ADHD estimates by sex, race, and ethnicity:1
No, Ed Sheeran has not been formally diagnosed with ADHD, but he has spoken about his family and friends thinking he might have it, citing his childhood stammer and difficulty concentrating, and he's been open about struggles with anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder, suggesting he relates to neurodivergent experiences and supports awareness, according to ADDitude magazine, the ADHD Foundation, and an Instagram post.
The 20-minute rule for ADHD is a productivity strategy to overcome task paralysis by committing to work on a task for just 20 minutes, leveraging the brain's need for dopamine and short bursts of focus, making it easier to start and build momentum, with the option to stop or continue after the timer goes off, and it's a variation of the Pomodoro Technique, adapted for ADHD's unique challenges like time blindness. It helps by reducing overwhelm, providing a clear starting point, and creating a dopamine-boosting win, even if you only work for that short period.
Yes, Britney Spears has publicly stated she has ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), having been diagnosed as a child and mentioning it in her book and interviews, though she has also dealt with other mental health challenges and the impact of her conservatorship. She has discussed managing symptoms and even attributed some past erratic behavior to ADHD, while also dealing with intense public scrutiny, anxiety, and other issues that complicated her health management, leading to varied approaches to treatment, including exercise and medication adjustments.
The 24-hour rule for ADHD is a self-regulation strategy to combat impulsivity by creating a mandatory waiting period (often a full day) before reacting to emotionally charged situations or making significant decisions, allowing time for reflection and reducing regretful snap judgments, especially for things like impulse purchases or arguments. It's a pause button that gives the brain space to process, move from impulse to intention, and evaluate choices more logically, helping manage ADHD's impact on emotional regulation and decision-making.
No You're Not with the one and only: 18 Brit Award winning, UK Music Hall of Famer and fellow ADH'D'er, Robbie Williams! Robbie talks candidly about his ADHD, intrusive thoughts, body dysmorphia, and struggles with fame - from masking anxiety on stage to navigating doubts despite worldwide adoration.
Watson enrolled at Oxford University, completed part of her degree, then graduated from Brown University in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Her IQ is reportedly 138 – at the 99.4 percentile, which means only 0.6 percent of the population has a higher IQ score.
Em Rusciano
Following Australian Idol, Em moved into breakfast radio and then on to live comedy. Now, she is a published author, podcast host and a regular host on Channel Ten's 'The Project'. Em was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 42.
The ADHD "30% Rule" is a guideline suggesting that executive functions (like self-regulation, planning, and emotional control) in people with ADHD develop about 30% slower than in neurotypical individuals, meaning a 10-year-old might function more like a 7-year-old in these areas, requiring adjusted expectations for maturity, task management, and behavior. It's a tool for caregivers and adults with ADHD to set realistic goals, not a strict scientific law, helping to reduce frustration by matching demands to the person's actual developmental level (executive age) rather than just their chronological age.
Yes, short-term studies and anecdotal reports suggest that cold exposure may improve attention by increasing norepinephrine levels. Some people with ADHD describe experiencing a brief window of enhanced mental clarity and reduced distractibility after a cold shower or plunge.
Increase stress relief by exercising outdoors—people with ADHD often benefit from sunshine and green surroundings. Try relaxing forms of exercise, such as mindful walking, yoga, or tai chi. In addition to relieving stress, they can teach you to better control your attention and impulses.
For adults, 7-8 hours is recommended. Try to avoid napping during the day. Optimise your sleep environment. Make sure your environment is quiet, calm and comfortable.
What is the Five-Second Rule? The Five-Second Rule is a technique to get things done the moment they cross your mind. The rule is once you get an instinct or gut feeling to do something that you know you should be doing, start it immediately.
Ariana Grande – Singer, Actress
Ariana Grande's openness about her “wild ADHD” and anxiety helps normalize the overlap between ADHD and other mental health conditions. 💡 Her empowering contribution: Grande's story emphasizes treating ADHD and anxiety together, as one often fuels the other.
The best lifestyle for ADHD involves a foundation of balanced nutrition (whole foods, lean protein, < Omega-3s, reduced sugar/processed items), consistent, engaging exercise, and excellent sleep hygiene (routine, dark room, no screens). Key additions include stress management (mindfulness, yoga, breaks), strong organization (planners, lists, reminders), and building supportive routines and environments, complementing any formal treatment.
Scientist and Nobel prize winner Albert Einstein is considered to have had ADHD because he “was as disorganised and forgetful as he was insightful and intelligent.” There is other evidence to suggest that he may have had dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism combined with ADHD.
There is significant research that shows mindfulness and meditation improve mood and positive feelings. Moreover, meditation has been demonstrated to improve many symptoms of ADHD including focus, concentration and mood regulation. There are many strategies for increasing mindfulness.
White patients get diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood more often than Black patients. Black females are the cohort least likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, and White females are the cohort least likely to be diagnosed with CD.
The 5 C's of ADHD, developed by psychologist Dr. Sharon Saline, is a framework for parents and individuals to manage ADHD challenges, focusing on Self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, and Celebration. This approach builds skills for better emotional regulation (Self-Control), empathy (Compassion), working together (Collaboration), establishing routines (Consistency), and recognizing progress (Celebration) to foster a supportive environment and reduce stress.