Why People with ADHD Are Some of the Best People I Know

By a Therapist Who Works With and Learns From Them Every Day (Sarah Hurley)

As a therapist who works closely with individuals diagnosed with ADHD, I often find myself in

awe—not just of their resilience, but of their brilliance. While ADHD is often defined by its

challenges—difficulty focusing, impulsivity, disorganization—what’s often overlooked is the

incredible strengths that so often come with it.

People with ADHD are some of the most creative, driven, and emotionally vibrant people

I’ve had the privilege of knowing. They’re the friends who bring energy to a room, the

problem-solvers who think outside the box, the co-workers who juggle a dozen ideas at once, and the clients who show up with courage and humor despite a lifetime of being misunderstood.

Here’s what I want the world to know: People with ADHD are wonderful. Here's why.

ADHD Strengths: Incredibly Smart and Intuitive

Many of my clients with ADHD have a brain that works fast—sometimes so fast that it feels like the world can’t keep up. They make unexpected connections, generate innovative ideas, and solve problems from angles most of us wouldn’t consider. Their thinking may not always be linear, but it’s often rich, layered, and deeply insightful.

They are quick learners, big-picture thinkers, and often deeply intuitive. Many are incredibly

emotionally intelligent—sensitive to others’ feelings and attuned to the dynamics in a room,

even if their own emotions sometimes feel hard to manage. Many people underestimate the role of emotional intelligence in ADHD, especially in how individuals process social cues and

emotions.

Multitaskers by Nature: ADHD Superpowers in Action

They Can Do More Than One Thing at Once (and Often Do It Well) While distractibility is a common challenge, it’s often the flip side of something remarkable: an ability to multitask, switch gears quickly, and juggle competing priorities. Many people with ADHD thrive in high-energy environments because their brains are wired for motion challenge, and complexity.

They are the entrepreneurs who build businesses while raising children, the creatives who write, design, and strategize all in one breath, and the leaders who thrive in crisis because they adapt on the fly. These are real-world examples of ADHD superpowers showing up every day.

Full of Life and Energy: ADHD and Creativity in Social Settings

People with ADHD often have a natural charisma. They bring enthusiasm to conversations,

curiosity to relationships, and a sense of adventure to everyday life. Many are funny, engaging, and socially intuitive. They’re the people you want at your dinner party—not just because they’re entertaining, but because they’re also genuinely interested in others and have a lot of heart.

Their spontaneity, when harnessed well, leads to moments of joy, creativity, and connection that are truly life-giving. These social strengths are a beautiful example of creativity blending into relational brilliance.

They Care Deeply: Exploring Strengths and Weaknesses

Despite being stereotyped as “careless” or “inconsistent,” people with ADHD often care very deeply—about their work, their relationships, and their values. If anything, they feel things intensely. That sensitivity can lead to overwhelm (one of the known weaknesses), but it also makes them empathetic, loyal, and emotionally rich people who show up for others in

meaningful ways. Understanding both the strengths and weaknesses helps shift the narrative from limitation to potential.

Brave and Adaptable: Resilience in Daily Life

Living with ADHD in a world that isn’t built for neurodivergent brains can be incredibly difficult. Many of my clients have spent years feeling misunderstood, judged, or overlooked. And yet—they keep going. They find new ways to organize their time, new strategies to support their focus, and new language to advocate for themselves.

They show up in therapy not just to cope, but to grow. ADHD and resilience go hand in

hand—these individuals face challenges daily and still show incredible adaptability and drive.

Purpose-Driven and Passionate: The Core of Living with ADHD

When someone with ADHD connects with a cause, interest, or project that resonates with them, their passion is unmatched. They dive in wholeheartedly, often with contagious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication. Whether it's advocating for others, creating something new, or solving a problem they care about, their intensity becomes a powerful force for good.

This is what living with ADHD can look like when strengths are nurtured—deep connection,

creative drive, and purpose-fueled action.

Understanding the Full Picture: What Is the Meaning of ADHD?

Too often, conversations around ADHD focus only on difficulties. But the meaning isn’t just a

clinical diagnosis—it’s a way of thinking, processing, and responding to the world that can be

vibrant and full of potential.

By reframing how we understand, we also change how people with ADHD understand

themselves. That shift can be transformational.

How Counseling Supports Growth

At Toronto Psychotherapy Space, I work with individuals every day who are navigating the

realities of ADHD in Toronto. Therapy can provide not just tools and strategies for focus,

planning, and emotional regulation, but also a safe, affirming space to explore identity,

strengths, and resilience.

Through counseling, we don’t just address challenges—we amplify what’s already working. We celebrate your brain’s unique wiring and find ways to work with it, not against it.

A Final Thought

As a therapist, I want people with ADHD to know this: You are not broken. Your brain is not

wrong. You have a unique and beautiful way of moving through the world—and yes, it comes

with challenges, but it also comes with extraordinary gifts. When those gifts are recognized and supported, people with ADHD thrive. And they often go on to light up the lives of everyone around them.

So to all my clients—and all the wonderfully wired people out there navigating life with

ADHD—you are some of the best people I know. Thank you for letting me walk alongside you.

Contact us today to book a session or learn more about how we can support you on your

journey.