ADHD & Creativity: Embracing the Flow with Brock Carter

In this inspiring episode of Thriving with ADHD, host Nada Pupovac sits down with Brock Carter, Physician Assistant at Animo Sano Psychiatry and office lead for the Tennessee branch, who’s not only a mental health clinician but also a passionate musician and producer. Together, they explore the fascinating link between ADHD and creativity how divergent thinking, impulsivity, and curiosity can both fuel and challenge creative expression.

Brock shares his perspective on embracing ADHD as a different operating system rather than a deficit, and how creativity can serve as a form of self-regulation, therapy, and empowerment. From navigating creative highs and lows to learning to “strike while the iron is hot,” this episode is filled with compassion, insight, and encouragement for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by their creative rhythm.

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a curious mind, you’ll walk away reminded that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date, and that your mind works in seasons, not on a stopwatch.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• How ADHD traits like curiosity and impulsivity can spark creativity
• The challenges of follow-through and structure in creative work
• Why creativity can be therapeutic for ADHD minds
• Practical ways to honor your natural creative rhythm
• How clinicians can encourage creative outlets in ADHD treatment

Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. For more information about our clinic, please visit animosanopsychiatry.com.

Animo Sano Psychiatry has introduced new services for enhancement of our patients' mental health - ASP Concierge and Health & Wellness Program. Please visit our website to learn more.

Animo Sano Psychiatry is constantly looking for the talent in behavioral health. If you are a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or mental health therapist, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our Careers pages to learn more about the available positions. https://animosanopsychiatry.com/careers/

Transcript

Intro:
🎵 “Your mind tends to work in seasons, especially creativity — not on a stopwatch. So give it what you’ve got, and be patient with it. At the end of the day, just express yourself.” 🎵

📍 Welcome to Thriving with ADHD, a podcast where we share everyday practical tips to thrive in life as an adult with ADHD. This podcast is brought to you by Animo Sano Psychiatry, a behavioral health practice with a specialist ADHD clinic based in North Carolina.

And this is your host, Nada Pupovac.

Nada:
Welcome to another episode of Thriving with ADHD!

Dear ADHD community, this month we’re diving into the link between ADHD and creativity. So many people with ADHD describe bursts of imagination, out-of-the-box thinking, and an ability to connect ideas in unique ways. But creativity can be both a gift and a challenge when focus and follow-through don’t always come easily.

To help us unpack this fascinating topic, I’m joined by Brock Carter. Brock is a Physician Assistant at Animo Sano Psychiatry and office lead for our Tennessee branch. He specializes in ADHD, anxiety, depression, and the treatment of many other mental health conditions. Beyond his clinical expertise, Brock is also an accomplished musician and producer with his own studio — a perfect combination of medical expertise and creativity.

So, let’s jump in!

Brock, welcome to Thriving with ADHD! I’m so glad to have you here. This is your first time joining the show, and it’s a fitting topic for your debut. For our listeners, this is also a special moment — Brock and I are collaborating on an exciting new project: a brand-new Animo Sano Psychiatry podcast that will focus on general mental health topics, and Brock will be the host. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what he’s prepared!

But today, we’re focusing on something both professional and personal for Brock — the connection between ADHD and creativity.

Brock:
Thank you, Nada. It’s very good to be here. I’m excited to talk about ADHD and creativity and see where the conversation takes us.

Nada:
Let’s start with the obvious question: How does ADHD influence creativity? Are there certain traits or cognitive patterns that make people with ADHD more likely to think creatively?

Brock:
That’s a great question. Often, when we talk about ADHD, we focus on it purely as a deficit. But in reality, ADHD is more like a different operating system for the brain.

People with ADHD often display divergent thinking — their minds branch out in multiple directions, connecting ideas that might seem unrelated. This curiosity and impulsivity can make it hard to stick to routine tasks but can also make people exceptional at seeing patterns, making intuitive leaps, and finding unique approaches others might miss.

So, ADHD doesn’t necessarily cause creativity, but it enhances the conditions where creativity thrives — openness, spontaneity, and a willingness to explore beyond normal boundaries.

Nada:
I love that perspective — seeing ADHD as a different way of thinking rather than a flaw.

But we also know that challenges like difficulty focusing or managing routines can sometimes get in the way of creative expression. Would you agree?

Brock:
Absolutely. That’s where the duality of ADHD and creativity really shows.

ADHD minds can generate floods of ideas, but translating those ideas into structure can be difficult. For example, a musician might have multiple songs in progress but struggle to focus on finishing just one. The same inattention that fuels brainstorming can interfere with follow-through.

Hyperactivity can drive bursts of productivity, but sustained focus can feel exhausting. And impulsivity often leads to starting multiple projects without finishing them — which can cause frustration and self-doubt.

But creativity doesn’t have an expiration date. Even if progress feels slow, your ideas are still valid. They’re just maturing in the background, waiting for the right time.

Nada:
That’s such an important reminder — to honor the process instead of criticizing ourselves. Can creativity also be used as a tool to help people cope with ADHD?

Brock:
Definitely. Creativity can be both a coping mechanism and a form of self-regulation.

When someone with ADHD engages in a creative outlet — whether it’s music, art, writing, or problem-solving — it can create a flow state. That state of full immersion can help balance dopamine levels and provide focus, satisfaction, and calm.

Creativity also gives people a sense of control over their environment — something ADHD brains often struggle to find in rigid, structured settings. Rather than fighting their wiring, they’re channeling it.

Creativity can be one of the most powerful tools for emotional regulation, self-esteem, and identity building.

Nada:
Beautifully said. Many people with ADHD experience ups and downs in their creativity — bursts of energy followed by burnout or lack of motivation. How can they manage that?

Brock:
That creative rhythm can be challenging — it’s both a gift and a curse.

Creativity naturally comes in waves. Sometimes inspiration hits hard, and you can write pages in half an hour. Other times, you can’t put pen to paper, and that’s okay.

The key is to honor those natural waves instead of fighting them. When energy and inspiration are high — harness them. And when motivation fades, don’t force productivity. Instead, try what I call a creativity calendar — schedule gentle, flexible time blocks to revisit projects without pressure.

Even stepping away for a while doesn’t mean your creativity is gone. It’ll be there when you come back.

Nada:
That’s such a freeing message — to allow creativity to flow naturally without guilt.

Do you think creativity should have a more intentional place in ADHD treatment and wellbeing? Should clinicians encourage it?

Brock:
Yes, absolutely. Creativity deserves a seat at the table in ADHD treatment — right alongside medication, therapy, sleep, and lifestyle changes.

It’s not about prescribing art or music as a cure but recognizing creativity as a therapeutic adjunct. It helps build confidence, identity, and a sense of control in a world that can feel chaotic.

For many, creative flow produces the same calming, grounding effect we aim for in mindfulness or behavioral therapy — but in a more personal and authentic way.

Nada:
That’s so true. Personally, creative outlets like singing, dancing, and drawing help me regulate my emotions and recharge.

And as you said, people don’t need to be “good” at their creative outlet — it’s about the joy of expression, not perfection.

Brock:
Exactly. You don’t need to worry about your audience or how “good” you are. Creativity is for you. Your first doodle doesn’t have to be Picasso-level, and your first song doesn’t need to be Mozart.

It’s about fun, self-expression, and doing something that makes you feel grounded and fulfilled.

Nada:
Beautiful. To wrap up, if there’s one takeaway you want listeners to remember, what would it be?

Brock:
Be patient with your creativity.

We live in a world that idolizes speed and output, but true creativity requires time and space. Don’t punish yourself for not finishing something quickly or for having dry spells.

Your mind works in seasons — not on a stopwatch. Give it what you’ve got, be patient, and just express yourself.

Nada:
Perfectly said. Thank you so much, Brock, for this invaluable and empowering conversation. I hope our listeners feel inspired to honor their creativity and see ADHD through a more compassionate lens.

Brock:
Thank you, Nada. It was a pleasure to be here.

Outro:
📍 Thank you for listening to Thriving with ADHD. This show is produced by Animo Sano Psychiatry. Please follow, rate, or share our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other streaming app of your choice. Music by Daddy’s Music from Pixabay.

For more information about Animo Sano Psychiatry, visit animosanopsychiatry.com
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