--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both…" description: "\"“Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both ADHD and the brain, suggests that ADHD can be thought of as a reward-deficiency syndrome created from a defic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/melissa-orlov-17715_better-job_dr-john-ratey-a-leading-expert-in-both-a_1803015.jpg" --- # Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both ADHD and the… ![“Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both ADHD and the brain, suggests that ADHD can be thought of as a reward-deficiency syndrome created from a deficit of specific pleasure neurotransmitters (most importantly dopamine, but also serotonin and endorphins) that are used to indicate reward in the…” quote by Melissa Orlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/melissa-orlov-17715_better-job_dr-john-ratey-a-leading-expert-in-both-a_1803015.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/melissa-orlov-17715_better-job_dr-john-ratey-a-leading-expert-in-both-a_1803015.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84e/melissa-orlov-17715_better-job_dr-john-ratey-a-leading-expert-in-both-a_1803015.jpg) > ““Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both ADHD and the brain, suggests that ADHD can be thought of as a reward-deficiency syndrome created from a deficit of specific pleasure neurotransmitters (most importantly dopamine, but also serotonin and endorphins) that are used to indicate reward in the attention centers of the brain. He notes that without these chemical indicators of reward, people with ADHD have trouble completing tasks that reward only after a long period, such as doing well in college to obtain a better job.”” [Melissa Orlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-orlov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. ADHD is described as a reward-deficiency syndrome where low dopamine and related neurotransmitters make delayed rewards feel unrewarding, hindering task completion. **In simple terms:** ADHD involves low brain reward signals, making long‑term goals feel unrewarding. Key Takeaway Find ways to create immediate, frequent rewards for tasks. Themes neuropsychology motivation behavioral economics mental health Mood analytical practical empathetic Type educational motivational When to use this quote - education - career planning - habit formation - therapy - coaching Key Concepts dopamine deficiency reward circuitry executive function delay discounting Questions to Reflect On - What immediate rewards can you attach to long‑term goals? - How can environments be structured to provide frequent feedback? A Different Perspective Not all individuals with ADHD respond the same to reward strategies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adhd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adhd/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) ## Related quotes > [“information comes at a person with ADHD. 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Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [These diagnostic profiles like depression, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, it's half science and the other half is a committee of doctors bickering over what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/these-diagnostic-profiles-like-depression-adhd-autism-dyslexia-it-s/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“a great deal of damage is caused by lack of knowledge about, and misinterpretation of, ADHD symptoms. Couples who learn about the specific patterns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-orlov/a-great-deal-of-damage-is-caused-by-lack-of-knowledge-about-and/) [Melissa Orlov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-orlov/) > [“My thoughts are like butterflies. They are beautiful, but they fly away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-thoughts-are-like-butterflies-they-are-beautiful-but-they-fly-away/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 114 Adhd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adhd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Dr. John Ratey, a leading expert in both ADHD and the brain, suggests that ADHD can be thought of as a reward-deficiency syndrome created from a deficit of specific pleasure neurotransmitters (most importantly dopamine, but also serotonin and endorphins) that are used to indicate reward in the attention centers of the brain. 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