It wasn't until you were in college that you received an ADHD diagnosis. Did it impact you prior to receiving a diagnosis as a child?

I was 20 when I received my diagnosis back in 1995. But at a younger age, I was fully aware that there was something odd about me. When I was younger, I seem to recall having moments of emotional outbursts and losing control of myself. Although I was curious and engaged in my studies, I found it annoying when I was unable to concentrate. I would lose consciousness if I didn't have coping strategies, like sitting in the front row. I was rather quick and intelligent when it came to tests and assignments, but I made a lot of careless errors. And I made a lot of mistakes. My dad handed my three closest pals three sets of spare keys when I acquired my first car when I was sixteen. He knew I'd misplace them or lose them. Thus, my parents were also managing. They also had no idea what ADHD was.

What caused you to be diagnosed with ADHD?

It wasn't until I enrolled in a college course on abnormal psychology that I learned about ADHD. When they discussed it, I could see that I possessed some of the characteristics.

Additionally, there were a few other hints about the same period. I was thinking a lot about my grandma and my early years at a family get-together following her funeral. My aunt interrupted me and said, "I'm sorry, Penn? Could you kindly stop talking with that flyswatter in your mouth? I didn't even aware I had a used flyswatter in my hand until I started biting on it. That was the first time I realized that this was really uncommon for me as an adult.

How did you feel when you learned the diagnosis?

Though not shocked, I was a little upset. The term "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" was used repeatedly, and it was somewhat derogatory. It sounded very solemn and grave. I felt hurt just by hearing the word "disorder." I attended the University of Virginia as a student. I placed second in my high school class upon graduating. It hurt that I was a reasonably successful and functional human being.

However, receiving a diagnosis was also a comfort. The fact that I was having more difficulty with my coursework in college helped to clarify what was happening. When a class consisted of 500 people, there was no option to sit in the front.

The diagnosis was beneficial for my relationships as well. When I told my close friends about it, none of them seemed shocked. Rather, I believe they were relieved. Sometimes, I would tune people out without really realizing it.

Would you discuss the little period of time you took medication?

After my diagnosis, I was prescribed and used to take dextroamphetamine for around one and a half years. It produced a few advantageous outcomes: My ability to carry on a conversation has improved, as my friends have noticed. And I got better grades. My senior year of college was my greatest year academically.

I stopped taking dextroamphetamine for my ADHD since, in the end, it wasn't for me. But I disagree with some who claim that medication for adhd is completely unnecessary in this case. While it isn't for everyone, some people can benefit from it. I understand that for some people, it does indeed make things better. In my opinion, you cannot condemn someone else for their actions.

What impact does ADHD have on your daily life?

The biggest daily issue I face with ADHD is having too many thoughts going through my head at once. Actually, I can only pay attention to one item at a time. Thus, it would be more convenient for me to only complete one task before moving on to the next. But that's not how life operates.

As an illustration, consider this: When I get up in the morning, I put my kids' breakfast on the stove. I understand that I have to get the kids to school and that I have a conference call as well. When we get in the car, everything is smoking because I forgot to turn off the burner. It's true that I've turned the stove on a few times. However, if you are aware of this in yourself, you learn coping skills. I've now set an alarm. I prepare my son's lunch the night before if I know I have to. I could then wake up and focus on one task at a time.

Fortunately, I write songs, edit them, and make original stuff. My group will get together and brainstorm ideas for an online video. In a few of hours, I can take a concept, come up with a clever way to make it work, sit down to write it, film it with my wife, and post the video. It's because I only have to accomplish that one thing. And I'm quite productive when I can give something my whole attention. Many people refer to that as being hyperfocused. In many cases, hyperfocus requires you to block out the outside world in order to complete your task.

The Amazing Race was won by you and your spouse last year. What impact did your illness have on that?

My ADHD worked to my great benefit. I've never felt more at ease than I did then. You are not allowed to communicate with anyone outside of the show. Together with my wife, I only had one goal: to finish this event. One task at a time was the only thing my ADHD brain could handle. If we had been given a four-course food challenge by The Amazing Race, I would have been in serious problems!

You have contested the unfavorable stereotype of ADHD. Why did you feel the need to address it?

My doctor gave me a book to read about symptoms of  ADHD when I was diagnosed, and I believe it was a good fit. According to the author, attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is actually an excess of attention without the ability to focus it. People handle ADHD the same way they would a broken arm or leg, he claimed. Rather than asking, "What is different and how do we adapt?" they question, "What's wrong?" and "How do we fix it?" You get the impression that people are broken. However, we simply have different brains; we are not broken.

The name alone is the second problem. People are adversely labeled, especially children. Imagine being a 10-year-old child and hearing from your doctor that you have a problem, a deficit, and hyperactivity. I believe the term "ADHD" has to be changed; it shouldn't consist of three disparaging terms.

Many people think that someone with ADHD is spacey and just needs to learn to pay attention, just like it did when I was growing up.

What guidance would you give to those who either have ADHD themselves or have loved ones who do?

Thank you for listening and being open to hearing our viewpoints, people without ADHD. You don't realize how much harder those of us with ADHD are trying. We are incredibly appreciative of whatever mercy you show us when we make errors.

Admitting that you have ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't feel guilty about it. Speak with your family and your physician. And don't repress your excellent intellect.

Furthermore, never feel isolated. There is a sizable group of folks that understand and are here for you. All I want people to understand is that they are not flawed. It will be alright for you.