[thanatropism]

> Mathematicians like to believe that we're smarter than average, but we're actually just very focused.

Serious question: does this spell doom for people with ADHD?

[asteli]

It doesn't necessarily. One thing that can come with ADHD is hyperfocus for certain activities. If one has ADHD and an intense interest in mathematics, you might be in luck.

When I was in school, I have a hard time staying engaged in lecture, and homework was near-impossible. I got a C in physics, but set the curve on the tests. It was a fascinating topic, but I couldn't stay focused on the bookwork.

Occasionally I will find a project that fully engages hyperfocus, and it's incredibly satisfying. I once fabricated a motorcycle carrier in a day and a half, pausing only to eat and sleep.

[trentmb]

> Serious question: does this spell doom for people with ADHD?

Caveat: undergrad in math, working on a part time coursework masters (I'm hoping to talk someone into being my advisor for a part time thesis)

No more so than any other academic subject.

If anything, I've found math more friendly to my ADHD than philosophy, literature, etc.

[thanatropism]

I successfully completed an Applied Math masters and defended a dissertation on symplectic integration. But that didn’t quite give me the superpowers my professors had.

[gowld]

In my experience, yes, unless treated with amphetamines.

[raziel2701]

You might be onto something here. Paul Erdos used to consume amphetamines and he was a prolific mathematician.