May We Introduce You To: Dr. Russell Barkley’s YouTube Channel – Dedicated to ADHD Science
by Lee Gehrls, R&D Coordinator (Volunteer)
Thanks to Adam Gehrls, Vice President, for editing & research assistance
Reading Time: 3 Minutes
It’s a New Year, and a time when many of us will take a few minutes to consider changes, improvements, or additions we want to make to our lives at home, at school, or at work. When you have ADHD in your family, making time for further education on the many issues that go along with ADHD is often a tough commitment to keep. Here’s a learning option from Dr. Russell Barkley that might help you improve your ADHD study time.
About Dr. Russell Barkley
Most of us are familiar with Dr. Barkley’s work. Since the 1980s, he has been one of the most well-known authorities on ADHD as a researcher and educator. He has also authored dozens of books and manuals and published hundreds of scientific articles on ADHD. You can learn more about his accomplishments by checking out the Feature Article in the September 2024 issue of Positive Steps.
Now retired (in late 2021/early 2022), Dr. Barkley continues to educate others about ADHD through his YouTube Channel, Russell Barkley, PhD – Dedicated to ADHD Science+. His YouTube Channel was first mentioned in the September 2024 Positive Steps article, but the article covered it only briefly. Started on October 6, 2013, the channel has grown to 366 videos – including over 30 hours of his lectures, 197,000 subscribers, and over 6 million views. According to the website description, the channel is ‘based on Dr. Barkley’s 45 years of clinical practice, research, and teaching and his many books and papers.’
Dr. Barkley’s YouTube Channel
On December 22, 2025, Dr. Barkley announced that he was fully retiring and would no longer be adding new videos to his YouTube channel.
The YouTube Channel presents the bulk of its information organized into twenty playlists, covering topics such as ADHD News, Dr. Barkley’s published books, ADHD medications, ADHD overviews, ADHD and comorbidities, and weekly ADHD Research updates. While some videos can be longer (60-90+ minutes), many of them are much shorter (under half an hour, often 10-15 minutes long). Playlists that you may want to check out include:
- About Me and This Channel (5 videos): short videos discussing the purpose of the channel.
- ADHD Overview (18 videos): original lectures and short videos with explanations about ADHD.
- Disorders Comorbid with ADHD (32 videos): a list of Dr. Barkley’s lectures on ADHD & Comorbidity.
- Adult ADHD – What you Need to Know: (35 videos): lectures and videos providing key facts and details about Adult ADHD.
Below are a sample of some of the videos on Dr. Barkley’s channel you may find interesting:
- Owning Your ADHD – Play Time: 14:44. The importance of coming to terms with and taking responsibility for one’s ADHD as part of treatment.
- The Importance of Grieving the Diagnosis of ADHD – Play Time: 15:55. A discussion of how those with ADHD will experience different phases of the grieving process and why this is important to owning and treating one’s ADHD.
- 12 Common Misconceptions about ADHD – Play Time: 26:31. About common ADHD myths.
- Why Other Disorders Often Coexist with ADHD (Comorbidity) – Play Time: 11:09. Overview of several reasons why comorbidities exist with ADHD. Dr. Barkley states that over 80% or more of clinic-referred children and adults seem to have a second disorder, and over 50% may have a third disorder.
- Reduced Life Expectancy in Untreated ADHD – Play Time: 11:58.
- Breaking News: New Research: Reduced Life Expectancy Associated with ADHD – Play Time 14:26 – two related videos that show that untreated ADHD can be seriously detrimental to your health and life expectancy, and how this affects treatment.
This is just a small sample of the information that is available to you at any time your schedule permits. Dr. Barkley’s YouTube Channel is an easy way to expand your ADHD Library and have access to many topics from a leader in the field of ADHD. As always, I encourage you to spend time browsing Dr. Barkley’s YouTube page and start your New Year on a Positive Step as you further your understanding of ADHD.
Making the right connections can make all the difference.sm
Disclaimer: This document is for information purposes only. A-D-A-M℠ does not receive compensation from the above stated apps or any other organization. If you are considering applications or other products be sure to do your research, as there are alternatives that could be better suited for your needs. Always consult your primary healthcare and/or mental healthcare provider on the treatment of ADHD and related conditions.
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