Matthew Marder, LCSW

Matthew Marder, LCSW Your the health and well being is my top priority. I can provide
direct support to any IL resident.

Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(847) 420-5103

01/29/2026

To medicate or to not medicate - that is the question. Everyone has a choice when it comes to their ADHD treatment, and it's essential to be aware of the risks and benefits. What works for one person may not work for another. Here's a helpful guide for those seeking answers.

I am of the opinion that every human being once possessed brains wired with ADHD as a vital survival mechanism, and as t...
01/27/2026

I am of the opinion that every human being once possessed brains wired with ADHD as a vital survival mechanism, and as the need for constant vigilance diminished over time, those remarkable brains evolved, yet many of us remain blessed with that extraordinary brain power.

ADHD Is Not a Disorder — It’s a Different Operating System
For years, the world has called ADHD a disorder.
A flaw.
A dysfunction.
A problem that needs to be fixed.
But what if it’s not?
What if ADHD isn’t a “broken” version of the human brain — but a different one?
One that evolved to survive, to adapt, to notice everything others miss.
You see, the term “disorder” suggests that something is wrong with you.
That your brain is defective, incomplete, or malfunctioning.
But the truth is, people with ADHD don’t have a lesser brain — they have a different kind of brain.
One that’s wired for intensity, creativity, innovation, and sensitivity.
The problem isn’t the ADHD brain.
The problem is the world built for a single type of mind — one that thrives in routine, order, and predictability.
⚡ The ADHD Brain: Built for Movement, Curiosity, and Urgency
Our ancestors needed people who could spot danger instantly.
People who could multitask between threats, who could act fast without overthinking.
That brain — the one that reacts quickly, feels deeply, and notices everything — is the ADHD brain.
You were designed for survival, not spreadsheets.
For exploring, not sitting still for 8 hours.
For chasing ideas, not checking boxes.
Your brain is wired for stimulation — it craves novelty, meaning, and excitement.
It’s not that you “can’t focus.”
It’s that your focus is driven by interest, not obligation.
And in a world that rewards monotony and routine, that difference gets mislabeled as dysfunction.
🧠 ADHD Isn’t a Lack of Attention — It’s a Mismanaged One
People think ADHD means you can’t focus.
But you know what it really means? You focus on everything.
The sound of the clock. The flicker of a light. The emotion in someone’s tone. The 17 ideas that hit you at once.
Your attention doesn’t break — it explodes.
And that explosion can either create something brilliant or cause overwhelm.
That’s not a disorder. That’s a system designed for depth.
When people say, “Just try harder,” it’s like telling a race car to “just slow down.”
It’s not built that way.
It needs a different kind of fuel, different maintenance, and a different track to shine.
💬 Society Calls It a Disorder Because It Doesn’t Understand It
Our culture praises people who can follow rules, stay organized, and stick to plans.
But the world wouldn’t evolve without the ones who question, disrupt, and reimagine everything.
Einstein, Da Vinci, Edison — all had ADHD-like traits.
Their “disorder” was their gift.
They didn’t fit in — they stood out.
Because the very traits that caused them to struggle in structured systems made them unstoppable creators.
The ADHD brain is an idea generator.
It connects dots others can’t even see.
It turns chaos into creativity.
But when you’re forced to function in a world that punishes your natural rhythm, you start to believe the lie — that you’re lazy, unmotivated, or broken.
You’re not.
You’re wired differently, not wired wrong.
❤️ ADHD Is Emotion, Intensity, and Empathy on Overdrive
Having ADHD means you don’t just live life — you feel it.
Every sound, every emotion, every detail hits deeper.
You can sense tension in a room before anyone says a word.
You care deeply, love passionately, and think endlessly.
That’s not a flaw. That’s sensitivity — and it’s a superpower when it’s understood.
The challenge isn’t the emotion itself; it’s the lack of tools to regulate it.
That’s why emotional dysregulation isn’t “drama” — it’s the nervous system working in overdrive.
And once you learn how to calm it, you discover that your depth of feeling is what makes you human in the truest way possible.
🔥 The Real Struggle Isn’t ADHD — It’s Misunderstanding
Most ADHD pain doesn’t come from the condition itself.
It comes from the constant invalidation, judgment, and shame.
From teachers calling you lazy.
From bosses labeling you unreliable.
From friends saying “you’re too much.”
It’s not the symptoms that break people — it’s the stigma.
Imagine growing up believing your natural rhythm was wrong.
That your way of thinking was something to hide or fix.
You spend your life masking, forcing yourself to fit a mold that was never meant for you — and then wonder why you feel exhausted all the time.
That’s not a disorder.
That’s a lifetime of trying to be someone you’re not.
🌈 ADHD Is a Different Operating System
The ADHD brain is like a Mac in a world built for Windows.
It’s not broken — it just runs differently.
It processes faster in some ways, slower in others.
It needs more creative input, more rest, more dopamine-driven reward.
When you learn your brain’s language — when you stop fighting it and start working with it — everything changes.
You stop trying to “fix” yourself and start understanding yourself.
You stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “What does my brain need to function best?”
That’s when ADHD becomes not a disorder, but a design.
✨ So, No — ADHD Isn’t a Disorder. It’s a Difference.
It’s time we stop pathologizing different kinds of minds.
Because every innovation, every movement, every shift in history started with someone who didn’t think like everyone else.
You are not broken.
You are not lazy.
You are not a mistake.
You’re an original blueprint in a world full of copies.
And once you learn to embrace that, your ADHD doesn’t become your limitation —
It becomes your greatest power.

01/22/2026
Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy, fueling the pursuit of justice and equality for all. L...
01/19/2026

Today, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy, fueling the pursuit of justice and equality for all. Let us pause to confront the internal barriers that impede our progress, and instead, collaborate to forge a brighter future for everyone.

If you're one of the many who “Adult” with ADHD, a practical technique can aid memory without stigma. Research shows cre...
01/18/2026

If you're one of the many who “Adult” with ADHD, a practical technique can aid memory without stigma. Research shows creating songs in your head can improve memory recall.

How many of us would not be able to name all 50 Nifty United States in alphabetical order without the help of that not-so-famous song? 

Does anyone else do the Four Pocket Pat Down when they leave the house?? Like Comment and Subscribe for more! Thanks for watching!!FOLLOW ME ON:Snapchat - ...

🧠 ADHD Coaching with a Therapist — Practical Strategies, Not TherapyADHD coaching is skills-based, forward-focused suppo...
01/14/2026

🧠 ADHD Coaching with a Therapist — Practical Strategies, Not Therapy

ADHD coaching is skills-based, forward-focused support designed to help adults manage daily challenges with structure and clarity.

As a licensed therapist, I offer ADHD coaching that focuses exclusively on strategies, not psychotherapy.

✨ ADHD Coaching focuses on:
✔️ Time management & planning systems
✔️ Organization & follow-through
✔️ Task initiation & prioritization
✔️ Executive functioning skills
✔️ Creating routines that fit your brain

This is not therapy and does not involve processing emotions, trauma, or mental health treatment.

Instead, coaching is collaborative, practical, and action-oriented.

If you:
• Know what you should do but struggle to do it
• Feel overwhelmed by daily demands
• Want tools, accountability, and structure
• Are ready to build sustainable systems

👉 ADHD coaching may be a great fit.

📩 Message me to learn more about therapist-led ADHD coaching and how strategy-based support can help you move forward.

💡 Because insight is helpful — but systems create change.

Contact me directly for additional information, regardless of your location, to explore strategies for leading a productive life with ADHD.

il i formsriy

Discover the tools and strategies to thrive with ADHD - reach out to learn more about unlocking your full potential.
01/10/2026

Discover the tools and strategies to thrive with ADHD - reach out to learn more about unlocking your full potential.

The path forward begins with the sharpening of the mind and letting go of unnecessary distractions. 
01/10/2026

The path forward begins with the sharpening of the mind and letting go of unnecessary distractions. 

When faced with fear or uncertainty, pause, breathe deeply, and intentionally redirect your focus to move forward with c...
01/09/2026

When faced with fear or uncertainty, pause, breathe deeply, and intentionally redirect your focus to move forward with courage and confidence by saying…

On a tough day, just remember…
01/07/2026

On a tough day, just remember…

12/31/2025

Today marks the final day to reflect on 2025 while visualizing all the good that will come in the year 2026. Out with the old and in with the new. Celebrate the start of a new year!

As one year transitions into another, many will find strength in honoring the memories of loved ones, and uncover new wa...
12/30/2025

As one year transitions into another, many will find strength in honoring the memories of loved ones, and uncover new ways to celebrate their enduring legacy, keeping their spirit alive and vibrant every day.

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Vernon Hills, IL
60061

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Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

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