Inside the Human Mind: ADHD, Failure, and Schizophrenia

ADHD is often described in terms of the difficulties that people face, but it may also have positive aspects. Traits like creativity, humour and empathy are often reported by adults with ADHD and could represent ADHD-related strengths. But are these strengths actually more prominent in adults with ADHD than their neurotypical peers? And could playing to one’s strengths improve life outcomes in adulthood? In my talk, I draw on recent work comparing adults with and without ADHD to help answer these questions and understand how recognising and using strengths might universally support wellbeing.

Fear of failure is not just a personal struggle; it is intertwined with a historical legacy of systemic barriers that fundamentally shape decision-making.
This study will delve into the journey of a South African entrepreneur who lived through apartheid, whether in South Africa or the United Kingdom. By examining their experiences, we aim to shed light on how the past influences present choices and aspirations, revealing the resilience necessary to navigate and overcome such obstacles.

The concept of schizophrenia has remained largely unchanged since Emil Kraepelin first described it in the late 1800s. More than a century on, we still rely on symptom-based criteria to diagnose the disorder. Psychiatry is falling behind the rest of modern medicine, which relies on biological measures - like blood tests and CT scans - to diagnose diseases. My research tackles this gap by investigating neuroimaging biomarkers, using machine learning to explore how and why the brain is altered in schizophrenia.