Jay Shetty & Dr. Daniel Amen ON How to Spot ADHD

What if the biggest struggles in your mind were actually written into your brain's wiring?

In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty sits down with Dr. Daniel Amen, one of the world’s leading authorities on brain health. Known for founding Amen Clinics and for his innovative application of brain scans in psychiatry, Dr. Amen has helped millions better understand how their brain chemistry affects their emotions, decisions, and relationships. 

Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or love someone who lives with it, their discussion offers clarity, compassion, and science-backed solutions.

Is ADHD Overdiagnosed or Underdiagnosed?

Dr. Amen explains to Jay Shetty that many people seem to have ADHD nowadays because of various factors. He claims this condition is both over- and underdiagnosed at the same time: overdiagnosis stems from society's reliance on medication as the quick fix for lack of focus. Nevertheless, the reasons may be unrelated to ADHD, for instance, as a result of overstimulation, poor diet, and chronic stress. In his opinion, fast-acting medication doesn't result in improved overall health.

At the same time, Dr. Amen warns that people with ADHD but lacking the hyperactive symptoms tend to be underdiagnosed. Usually, this is the case for women and girls in particular. He told Jay Shetty that the discrepancy happens partly due to gender bias, because girls who lack clear hyperactivity are often misdiagnosed or overlooked.

Dr. Amen emphasized that untreated ADHD can have severe repercussions, such as school failure, addiction, incarceration, and damaged relationships. Therefore, he believes we need to find a more personalized approach to diagnosing people suffering from ADHD.

ADHD or Modern Distraction

The modern world generates a constant flow of information, which may feel overwhelming for many of us. Jay Shetty referenced a study revealing that people now consume the equivalent of a hundred thousand words daily, which can be mentally exhausting.¹ This is why it is even more important to distinguish between true ADHD affliction and overstimulation due to the constant online stimuli.

Dr. Amen explained to Jay Shetty that you can identify ADHD by consistent, long-term patterns of behavior, not temporary overwhelm. Some critical symptoms include short attention span for daily tasks, frequent distraction from sensory input, chronic disorganization, procrastination, and poor impulse control. Dr. Amen also mentions the underactive prefrontal cortex (the brain's area responsible for focus and decision-making). These symptoms make it difficult for ADHD patients to filter out irrelevant sounds, sights, and even physical sensations.

The Genetic Roots of ADHD

Dr. Amen explains to Jay Shetty that genuine ADHD is largely influenced by genetics, but attention training may be beneficial. He notes that parents with ADHD usually pass it on to children. He openly discussed his wives' and children's personal struggles with the condition.

ADHD affects more areas of your life than only academic performance; it impacts emotional regulation, sleep habits, and even intimacy. Dr. Amen explained that you need sustained attention to experience pleasure, something that many people diagnosed with ADHD struggle with. He told Jay Shetty that the condition often leads to misunderstandings in relationships, especially when one partner's actions are misinterpreted as laziness or disinterest.

Seven Types of ADHD

Dr. Daniel Amen shares with Jay Shetty the insights from his research on the seven distinct types of ADHD, discovered through over 250,000 brain scans:

1. Classic ADHD – distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsiveness.
2. Inattentive ADHD – disorganization and short attention span, common in girls.
3. Over-Focused ADHD – cognitive rigidity and difficulty shifting focus, often mistaken for stubbornness.
4. Limbic ADHD – mood issues and attention deficits, leaning toward mild depression.
5. Temporal Lobe ADHD – learning difficulties, mood instability, and sometimes aggression.
6. Ring of Fire ADHD – excessive brain activity, leading to agitation and emotional volatility.
7. Anxious ADHD – anxiety on top of typical symptoms, often resulting in emotional overcontrol.

Dr. Daniel Amen highlights the importance of recognising the correct type of ADHD and dosing the medication accordingly. Moreover, he advocates for a personalized approach.

Emotion Regulation and Negativity Bias

Dr. Amen told Jay Shetty that people suffering from ADHD often experience emotions more intensely. According to him, this is due to a dopamine deficiency, a hormone responsible for focus and emotional regulation. Furthermore, the prefrontal cortex plays an essential role in managing impulses and emotions. People with dysfunctions in this brain area may end up doing things they later regret.

Dr. Amen discussed with Jay Shetty the concept of “negativity bias,” where people with ADHD often dwell longer on negative aspects of a situation than on positive ones. He explained that this pattern often wears down their mental health and relationships because of the constant state of negativity they live in. 

Dr. Daniel Amen is currently actively researching ways to address this bias; however, he warns that excessive positivity can be equally harmful. He explained to Jay Shetty that cognitive flexibility is of utmost importance - you need to be able to adapt your thoughts based on the context.

Key Factors in Navigating ADHD

Dr. Amen believes that ADHD patients shouldn't rush to use medication as the first resort. Instead, he suggests looking into your diet and technology usage. He shares with Jay Shetty research results on a month-long elimination diet.² 70% of children with ADHD symptoms saw significant improvements after removing gluten, dairy, soy, corn, artificial dyes, and sweeteners from their diet.

Dr. Amen explained that ultra-processed foods and excessive sugar consumption negatively impact brain performance. The brain uses up to 30% of our daily caloric intake, so it is essential to pay attention to the quality of our meals. To improve your overall state of mind, Dr. Amen recommends taking regular breaks from digital devices, especially avoiding screens at bedtime, as sleep deprivation can very well mimic ADHD.

The Dangers of Normalizing Harmful Substances

The use of alcohol, marijuana, and psychedelic drugs is on the rise today, and the media often portrays it in a glamorous light. Yet Dr. Amen warns that these very substances can have very harmful effects. He told Jay Shetty that research showed they reduce blood flow to essential brain areas, impair memory, and increase the risk of psychotic disorders.³‍

Dr. Amen is a strong believer that public policies and regulations are based on scientific research. He praised Australia for banning social media usage for teenagers under 16, and California for delaying school start to favor better sleep for adolescents. Both Jay Shetty and Dr. Daniel Amen agree that incorporating neuroscience into our daily choices, from education to family routines, is essential.

Personal Responsibility

Dr. Amen shared with Jay Shetty his "One-Page Miracle", a goal-setting exercise he used with all his patients. He explained how it works: on one sheet, the patients jot down their goals across different areas of their lives, like relationships, career, health, and spirituality. This exercise helps align everyday actions with long-term goals.

Moreover, Dr. Amen explained that being aware of your brain's weaknesses doesn't absolve you from responsibility; it heightens it. If you believe you have ADHD, it is essential to see a licensed professional who can help you establish the best therapy for your unique situation. Treatment can include medication, but also supplements, neurofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He recommends supplements such as saffron, omega-3, B vitamins, and pycnogenol.

ADHD and Its Impact on Relationships

Dr. Amen told Jay Shetty about the effects of ADHD on relationships by opening up about his marriage with his wife, Tana. She has the anxious subtype and uses excessive exercise and caffeine to self-manage her symptoms. While her ADHD sometimes brings challenges in the organization, Dr. Amen admires her reliability and kindness.

Similarly, on a zoo visit, Dr. Amen observed a penguin named Freddy who was trained through consistent positive reinforcement. It was then that he realized he had been paying more attention to his son's negative behavior than his positive efforts. This realization made him change his parenting style and philosophy to "focus on what you like more than what you don't."

Regarding professional settings, Dr. Amen advises caution in disclosing your ADHD diagnosis unless absolutely necessary. He understands that there are legal provisions for accommodations, but stigma may persist. He also told Jay Shetty that most universities now offer extensive support through disability resource centers for their students.

When it comes to professional settings, Dr. Amen advises caution in disclosing ADHD unless necessary. While legal accommodations exist, stigma may persist. For students, most universities offer extensive support through disability resource centers. He encourages early diagnosis to prevent the long-term consequences of untreated ADHD.

Brain Health as a Global Priority

Dr. Daniel Amen advocates for early diagnosis to prevent long-term repercussions of untreated ADHD. He told Jay Shetty that about half of the cases show improvement by teenage years, particularly hyperactivity. Yet challenges like poor impulse control often remain. Therefore, he urges parents of children with ADHD to model healthy habits (qualitative sleep, exercise, low-tech environments) to help mitigate intergenerational effects.

Dr. Amen's focus is on driving a systemic change - he calls for renaming the National Institute of Mental Health to include “brain,” and dedicating the next decade to advancing public awareness around brain health. He argues that society must stop labeling individuals as mentally ill without assessing brain function directly. Moreover, Dr. Amen shared with Jay Shetty his interest in scanning public figures’ brains, to understand how resilience and cognition manifest in their brain activity.

Dr. Daniel Amen strongly believes that anyone can improve their brain health. He encourages the listeners to seek personalized help from professionals and to approach challenges with compassion.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode “Dr. Daniel Amen: Struggling to focus, Stay Organized, or Feeling Overwhelmed by Your to-do List? ADHD Could Be Quietly Running Your Life (THIS is what to DO!)” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.

Disclaimer: The practices described are based on personal experiences and preliminary research. They are not medical advice, nor are results guaranteed. Individual outcomes vary, and some claims are still being studied. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new health, wellness, or therapeutic practice.

¹Bilton, Nick. “Part of the Daily American Diet, 34 Gigabytes of Data.” Web log. The New York Times (blog), December 9, 2009. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/technology/10data.html. 

²Huberts-Bosch A, Bierens M, Ly V, van der Velde J, de Boer H, van Beek G, Appelman D, Visser S, Bos LHP, Reijmers L, van der Meer J, Kamphuis N, Draaisma JMT, Donders R, van de Loo-Neus GHH, Hoekstra PJ, Bottelier M, Arias-Vasquez A, Klip H, Buitelaar JK, van den Berg SW, Rommelse NN. Short-term effects of an elimination diet and healthy diet in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized-controlled trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024 May;33(5):1503-1516. doi: 10.1007/s00787-023-02256-y. Epub 2023 Jul 11. PMID: 37430148; PMCID: PMC11098970. 

³Editorial Staff. “How Do Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Brain and Central Nervous System?” Web log. American Addiction Centers (blog), December 16, 2024. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/health-complications-addiction/central-nervous-system.